Androcles and the Lion

Topics: Compassion , Help

When Caligula was emperor of Rome, there was a young Christian slave by the name of Androcles. One day when the youth was gathering mushrooms in a forest outside of Rome, a lion came bounding into the scene. The frightened slave believed his time had come, until the beast, howling in pain, held out his paw toward Androcles. The young man saw a sharp thorn imbedded in the paw.

In a mighty surge of compassion the slave removed the thorn and then fearfully covered his face. When he opened his eyes, the lion was gone.

Years pass and Androcles huddles in the Roman circus awaiting death at the jaws of a wild beast. When a mighty lion steps into the arena, Androcles drops to his knees in prayer.

Suddenly recognizing Androcles, the great beast saunters over to the Christian and offers his paw as a gesture of appreciation for the young man's kindness in the forest. This miracle is seen by the emperor, who declares Androcles to be a Christian who knows the importance of kindness. So, both he and the lion are set free.

- Ancient Fable Retold By Paul M. Miller as excerpted from "Kindness - The
Fruit of the Spirit"
(Used with permission by Honor Books)