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 causing 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 afterward 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 toward his victim. But as soon as he came near to
Androcles he recognized 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.”