Once a poor slave whose name was Androcles, his master was a cruel man and so unkind to him that at last Androcles ran away.
Androcles went and hid forest for many days, but there was no food to be found, and he grew so weak and sick that he thought he would soon die. So one day he crept into a cave and lay down, and soon he was fast asleep. After a while, a great noise woke him up. A lion had come into the Cave and was roaring, hearing the loins roar Androcles was very afraid. He felt sure that the beast would kill and devour him in no time.
However, soon, he saw that the Lion was not angry, but in pain and that he limped as though his foot hurt him. Overcome by empathy for the Lion, Androcles grew so bold that he took hold of Lion's lame paw to see what was the matter. The Lion stood quite still and rubbed his head against the Androcles's shoulder. He seemed to say; I know that you only want to help me. Androcles lifted the path from the ground and saw that it was a long, sharp thorn which was hurting the lions so much. He took hold of the end of the thorn in his fingers firmly. Then in a swift move, quickly pull out the thorn. The Loin gave a small but sharp yelped of pain, and soon realised he was misery was over, not only had the pain gone he could easily keep his paw on the floor now.
The Lion was full of joy. He jumped about like a dog and licked the hands and the feet of his new friend. Now Androcles was not at all afraid of the Loin. And when night came, he and the Lion lay down and slept side by side in the Cave for a long time. The Lion brought food to Androcles every day, and the two became such good friends that Androcles found his new life with the Lion one of delighted.
One day some soldiers who were passing through the forest, and found Androcles in the Cave. They knew who he was and so they took him back to Rome. It was the law at that time that every slave who ran away from his master should fight a hungry lion.
The hunters of Rome set out in the forest to capture a fierce Lion from the jungle. The Lion was put in a cage and starved for many days. The starved Lion would fight and eat anyone immediately.
Finally, the day came when Androcles was to face the hungry Lion. Thousands of people crowded the arena to see the sport, as they went to such places at that time. Just like people go to see a game of cricket or other sports in stadiums nowadays.
Androcles was brought to the arena and made to stand in the centre. All the spectators were cheering for releasing the Lion. At last, as the cage doors opened, and the Lion sprang out, and started to approach Androcles. Androcles was trembling with fear and had closed his eyes, praying to god, for he was sure that he was going to die.
Androcles heard the roars of the Lion, and it sounded familiar. Androcles looked up and saw that there was no pity in the eyes of thousands of faces around him. Then the hungry Lion rushed in with a single bound towards Androcles. Androcles gave a great cry, not of fear, but one of gladness, it was his old friend, the Lion from the Cave. People who were expecting to see the Lion tear Androcles apart, and Kill him, were filled with wonder. They saw, Androcles gently put his arms around Lion's neck, and Lion lie down at Androcles's feet and lick them lovingly. They saw the great beast rub his head against the slave's face as though he wanted to hug Androcles.
They could in the arena was shocked and did not believe what they saw. Soon, everyone in the crowd asked Androcles to tell them how such a miracle took place. With his arm still around Lion's neck. Androcles shared the story as to how he and the Lion lived together in the Cave. I am a man, he said, but no man has ever befriended me. This poor Lion alone has been kind to me, and we love each other as brothers.
The people were not so bad that they could be cruel to the poor slave, and the kind Lion. So everyone in the arena, yelled in favour of Androcles and the Lion, " Set them Free" they all shouted in chorus. So Androcles and the Lion were set free. Androcles and the Lion lived together in Rome for many years.
Moral: Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
