Long ago in Rome, a slave named Androcles escaped from his cruel master and fled into the forest. After two days without food or water, he heard a deep moan and saw a lion approaching. Filled with fear, Androcles tried to run but tripped over a tree root.
To his surprise, the lion did not attack. Instead, it limped towards him and held out a paw, moaning in pain. Androcles saw a large, ugly thorn embedded in the lion's paw. Overcoming his fear, he carefully pulled out the thorn. The lion roared in pain but then gratefully licked Androcles' leg.
From that day on, the lion brought food to Androcles, and they became friends in the forest.
One day, Roman soldiers searching for runaway slaves found Androcles and captured him. In Rome, runaway slaves were often thrown to the lions as punishment. Androcles was forced into an arena to face a hungry lion.
When the lion charged, it suddenly stopped beside Androcles and gently stroked him with its paw. It was the same lion he had helped in the forest! The astonished Emperor called Androcles forward. After hearing the story, the Emperor was so moved that he granted Androcles his freedom and ordered the lion to be returned to the forest.