A
poor slave who had managed to escape from his master had been recaptured and
condemned to death. He was led into a big arena surrounded by high walls and
suddenly from one of the underground pits a lion was released.
The
lion walked around the arena looking at the thousands of people present and
then sighted the poor victim. He came closer, started to make his run to pounce
on the victim when suddenly he stopped, wagged his tail and began to lick the
slave’s hand. The people were astonished and wanted to know what was the reason
for the lion’s strange behavior.
The
slave yell them: “When I escaped I found refuge in a desert cave. When I was
there I found a lion lying in agony and bellowing every time he tried to walk.
I inspected his leg and found that there was a thorn in his paw. I pulled it
out and the roar of the lion almost made me wish I had not touch him but then
realizing that he had been cured, he became very friendly with me and he
provided me with food. During the last hunting season we both had to leave and
unfortunately I, at first, and now I realize both of us, were captured. This is
the same lion that lived together with me.”
The
people remained a moment in silence and then praised the man for his generous
action. He was freed and the lion accompanied him wherever he went walking at
his side like a little dog.
Kindness
has resistless charms,
All
things else but weakly move;
Fiercest
anger it disarms,
And
clips the wings of flying love.
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