Androcles

: Aesop's Fables

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled

to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a

Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee,

but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and

went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which

was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge

thorn had got into it, and was causin
all the pain. He pulled

out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able

to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion

took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat

from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the

Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to

the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several

days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle,

and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the

Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring

towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he

recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands

like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned

Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the

slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native

forest.



Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.



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