Text A
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 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. Wherupon the slave was
pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. Gratitude is
the sign of noble souls.
Androcles
and the Lion from Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
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