Androcles
A slave named Androcles
once flee from his owner and fled to the woods.
As he was lost about there
he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning.
At first he turned to escape,
but finding that the lion did not chase him,
he turned back and went up to him.
As he come near,
the lion put out his paw,
which was all bulgy and bleeding
and found that a large 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 shortly able to rise
and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.
Then the lion took Androcles to his cavern,
and every day used to bring him food from which to live
But soon 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 many 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 on its victim
But as soon as he come close to Androcles
he recognized his friend,
and fawned upon him,
and licked his hands like a friendly dog,
The Emperor, surprised at his,
called Androcles to him,
who told him the whole story.
Where upon the slave was pardoned and freed,
and the lion let loose