Aesop’s Fables or Aesopica is a collection of fables credited to Aesop, who was a slave and a storyteller. He is believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 564 BCE. This is a story from Aesop, and is set in Rome.
There was once a Greek slave named Androcles. One day, having had enough of his work, his master and his life he escaped into the forest. He wandered for a long time in the forest and when darkness fell he was tired, hungry and filled with despair. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he heard the angry roar of a lion. He tried to run away, but in his tired state he stumbled over a root and fell. As he got up he saw, coming towards him...a lion. But something was strange. The lion was walking on three legs, and holding out its forepaw.
Androcles noticed that it was bleeding and swollen. The lion moaned and groaned in pain. With nothing better to do, Androcles caught hold of the lion’s paw and examined it. He found a large thorn had embedded itself in it. He pulled it out and the lion roared in pain. But, soon the lion began to feel better. To show its gratitude he brought him a deer that it had killed. In time, the lion and Androcles became friends.
Meeting
One day, soldiers came into the forest. They found Androcles and since his circumstances looked suspicious, they took him prisoner. His old master found him, and brought him against the authorities, who condemned him to death. At that time, it was the custom to throw condemned prisoners to the lions, while people sat around and watched.
At the appointed time, Androcles was led into the arena. Then, when the Emperor gave the royal command the lion was released. The Emperor and the spectators watched in surprise as the lion ran towards Androcles, and fawned over him and stroking him with its paw.
It was the same lion that Androcles had helped in the forest! The Emperor, immediately summoned the prisoner. When asked, Androcles told him the story. Impressed with the story, the Emperor ordered that Androcles be set free and the lion returned to the forest.
Retold by NIMI KURIAN
