Androcles ran swiftly away from his master's land.
In the dark of night, Androcles got up from the miserable heap of straw and rags that served as his bed. Crouching low so he was no taller than the bushes that dotted the fields, the young slave moved swiftly away from his master's land.
Clouds covered the moon that night, and Androcles crossed the open fields unseen. It was only when he came to the wild woods that Androcles dared to stand up tall again.
Androcles found a sheltered place at the foot of a tall tree. There he lay himself down and fell fast asleep.
When Androcles awoke, he hiked deeper into the woods so he wouldn't be found by his master. There he looked for water and something to eat. But other than a few berries, there was no food to be found.
Day after day, Androcles searched for food. And day after day, he went hungry. Androcles grew so weary and weak that at last he was afraid he wouldn't live through the night. He had just enough strength to creep up to the mouth of a cave that he had passed many times. Androcles crawled into the cave and fell into a deep sleep.
Androcles found a cave for shelter.
Just before reaching the cave where Androcles slept, the lion stepped on the fallen branch of a thorn tree. A large thorn went deep into his paw.
A large thorn went deep into the lion's paw.
The lion let out an angry roar, which woke Androcles with a terrible start. From the mouth of the cave, Androcles could see the lion rolling on the ground in pain. The lion's roars echoed loudly in the cave.
Androcles was terrified that the lion would attack him. But the lion held out his hurt paw to Androcles. Even from a distance, Androcles could see the large thorn in the lion's paw.
Androcles found some courage and came closer. He slowly sat down on the ground near the beast. To Androcles' astonishment, the huge lion flopped his great paw into the young man's lap. He could tell that this beast was in great pain and needed help.
Androcles spoke soothing words to the lion as he carefully pulled the thorn from the lion's paw. "Don't worry, handsome lion. We'll have this thorn out in no time," he said softly. The lion seemed to understand that Androcles was helping him. When the thorn was gone, the lion rubbed his head against Androcles' shoulder and purred a rumbling purr.
Androcles carefully pulled the thorn from the lion's paw.
The lion slept most of the day. And at night, he hunted for food while Androcles slept. In the morning, the lion would bring fresh meat to Androcles, who would build a little fire to cook his newly caught meal.
Every morning after Androcles ate, he and the lion played for a while in the woods nearby. The lion showed Androcles how much he liked him by rubbing his head against the man and licking his hands and feet. Androcles scratched the lion behind the ears and petted his sleek back.
Androcles and the lion were fast friends.
"We saw the smoke from your fire," they said. "We have come to arrest you for running away from your master."
Androcles did not know what to do. He tried to run from the soldiers, but they were too fast for him. Two soldiers sprinted after Androcles. When they caught him, they tied his hands behind his back.
The soldiers captured Androcles and the lion.
The lion awoke with a start. Before he could get to his feet to help Androcles, the other two soldiers threw a strong rope net over him. They attached the ends of the net to two stout poles and carried the angry lion out of the woods.
Androcles was forced to march to a huge arena in Rome.
One soldier said to Androcles, "Your punishment is to fight a hungry lion!"
It was the custom in Rome at that time to entertain the people with battles fought on the sandy floor of the arena, which was circled by rows and rows of seats.
The soldiers took Androcles to a prison under the arena seats. Then they left him alone in his prison cell. Androcles had never felt so scared or so alone. It was a long time before the soldiers came back for Androcles.
Suddenly, Androcles heard a trumpet blast. Then the bars to Androcles' prison were opened. A soldier took Androcles and pushed him onto the field.
Androcles found himself alone in the middle of the huge arena. Hundreds of people were watching him, waiting for the battle to begin. Androcles noticed a large cage at the end of the field. When a lion's roar sounded throughout the arena, the people grew excited.
The trumpet sounded a second time, and the bars to the lion's cage were opened. In a moment, a lean lion bounded out of the cell, roaring with hunger. The people sitting in the arena shouted, "Hooray!" The crowd sounded like a mighty roar to Androcles.
The lion crouched only for a moment, but in that moment Androcles recognized his friend from the forest.
The lion let out another thundery roar and bounded across the arena in three long leaps. He stopped right in front of Androcles and gently lifted his big paw.
Androcles gave a mighty shout of joy. "Lion, you remember me!" he cried. He took the lion's paw in his hand and patted it lovingly. Then the lion rubbed his great head against the young man's shoulder. Androcles scratched the lion behind the ears, just as he had done at home in their forest cave
The lion recognized Androcles and did not attack him.
The Emperor, who watched every game in the arena, motioned for the crowd to be quiet. Then he called Androcles to approach him and his royal subjects.
"How did you tame this vicious lion?" the Emperor asked Androcles.
"I merely helped him when he needed help, Your Highness," Androcles replied. "That is why he spared my life."
The Emperor freed Androcles and the lion.
Androcles often went for a walk in the woods to visit his good friend. As soon as they saw each other, they played and frolicked as if they had never been apart.
Friendship
Androcles and the lion make an unlikely pair, but their friendship proved to be strong and true. When Androcles removed the thorn from the lion's paw, a friendship based on trust and compassion was born. It was this strong bond that kept the lion from attacking Androcles in the arena.
s are best when they are based on trust. Friends should be caring and thoughtful to one another. Do you have a best friend? What do you like best about your friend? What do you think he or she likes best about you?