He crept softly toward the great beast, which, seeming to know that the man could help him, allowed him to take hold of his paw.
It required but a moment for Androclus to pull out the large thorn which was causing the pain.
The lion was so pleased that he rubbed his head against the man’s shoulder, and purred loudly.
After that, Androclus was never afraid of the lion; and the lion to show his gratitude shared his food with him. In this way these strange companions came to live together in the cave.
One day when the slave was walking in the forest, some soldiers spied him. They knew that he must have escaped from his master, so they bound him and took him back to Rome.
Poor Androclus knew that the thing which he had so dreaded was about to happen. He would be fed to the hungry lions.
The day came. Great crowds of people had gathered, as people gather nowadays to see a ball game.
Androclus, weak with fear, was pushed into the arena. He could hear the roar of the hungry lion as it came tearing from its cell.
Right toward Androclus rushed the great beast; the people expected to see the slave torn into pieces. Imagine their surprise when the lion suddenly stood still, and Androclus sprang toward him with a cry of joy; for it was his friend, the lion of the forest!