Once there lived a slave
named Androcles in Greece
Androcles was living a bonded life since
his childhood days. He was treated badly by his master who was cruel and
merciless.
One day Androcles found a way to escape
from his master. He fled away into the dense forest. He was hungry and tired,
and there was fear of wild animals all around. So he sat down under a tree to
rest for a while. He soon fell asleep
After some time, Androcles suddenly woke
up upon hearing a mourning heavy voice of an animal. He went near to see and
saw a lion lying in state of pity. He cried loudly and groaned heavily in pain.
Androcles was horrified to see the lion and he ran away at the first sight of
the animal. But soon he realized that the lion continued to mourn and did not pursue
him. So he went back and saw the lion closely. He saw that lion had a gash in
his paw. The lion’s paw was pitifully swollen and bled. Androcles realized that
it would be unbearably painful for the lion to live with such a wound. So he
took the paw in his hand and observed it closely. The paw had a large spine,
which Androcles pulled out. He bounded the wounded paw and sat besides the
lion. Soon the lion was relieved of its pain and he loyally licked Androcles
hand.
The lion and Androcles became friends. The
lion took Androcles to his den, where he brought flesh for him everyday.
Days passed by and though Androcles was living in a jungle with no home or
humans around; he as happy to live free without bondage.
But his happiness was short-lived.
His master who was close to the king, told him about Androcles’s fledging
after years of bondage. The king had sent his men on search to find
Androcles.
One afternoon when Androcles and the lion
were sleeping, the king's men found him. They captivated the lion, and took
Androcles to the king. When his master came to know about Androcles arrest, he appeared
before the king and said, 'My Majesty! He had been an infidel slave. After
living for these many years in my home, he betrayed me and my family. He has no
right to live. I request you to throw him to the lion in front of the masses,
so that in future nobody dares to deceive us like he did in future'.
The kind said, 'We shall not bear this
kind of betrayal. You action is punishable and we shall throw you the hungry
lions in front of the masses'.
The king asked his men to keep the lion
hungry for next ten days, and make an announcement to the masses to gather in
the arena on the tenth day of the month.
On the tenth day, the masses gathered in
the arena. The king's men threw Androcles in the arena and let the hungry lion
enter the arena. The people around watched in horror, as the hungry lion rushed
with a roar that echoed across the arena. But when the lion came near
Androcles, he stopped and fell on his knees before him. It licked its paw and
gave a pitiable cry. Then he stood up and licked Androcles hand. Everyone
around stood up, looking in surprise. The king asked his men to bring Androcles
before him.
When asked, Androcles narrated the
entire sequence of events to the king. The king was touched by the story. He
understood that it is not just humans, but animals too, who have feelings of
live and gratitude.
The king rewarded Androcles and declared
him free of any slavery. He asked his men to feed the lion and leave it in the
forest where it was brought from.
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