In Rome, there was once a poor slave whose name was Androcles. His master was a cruel man. He was so unkind to him that at last Androcles ran away.
After a while, a lion came into the cave and started roaring loudly. Androcles were very much afraid. Soon, he saw that the lion could not walk as his foot hurt him.
Androcles slowly went close and took hold of the lion’s paw to see what the matter was. The lion stood still and rubbed his head against Androcles’s shoulder.
It was a long, sharp thorn which hurt the lion so much. He pulled out the thorn. The lion was full of joy. He licked the hands and feet of his new friend.
One day some soldiers saw Androcles in the cave. They took him back to Rome.
At that time any slave who ran away from his master was made to fight a hungry lion. When the day came, thousands of people gathered to see Androcles fight a lion.
The door opened, and poor Androcles were brought in. He was almost dead with fear.
Then the hungry lion rushed in. Androcles gave a great cry, not of fear, but of gladness. It was his old friend, the lion of the cave.
The people were filled with wonder. They saw the lion lie down at his feet, and lick them lovingly.
Androcles and the lion were both set free.