ANDROCLES

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the lion did not to pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.

As he came near, the lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain.

He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the lion took Androcles to his cave, and everyday used to bring him meat from which to live.

But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The emperor and all his court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim.

But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Where upon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the lion let loose to his native forest.

MORAL : Gratitude is sign of noble souls.

THE LAD AND THE FOX

There was upon a time a little lad, who was on his way to church and when he came to a clearing in the forest he caught sight of a fox, who was lying on the top of a big stone fast asleep, so that the fox did know the lad had seen him.

" If  I kill that fox," said the lad, taking a heavy stone in his fist, " and sell the skin, I shall get money for it, and with that money I shall buy some rye, and that rye I shall sow in father's cornfield at home.

When the people who are on their way to church pass by my field of rye they'll say, " Oh, what splendid rye that lad has got!" Then I  shall say to them, " I say, keep away from my rye!"  But they won't heed me. Then I shall shout to them, ' I say, keep away from my rye!' But still they won't take any notice of me. Then I shall scream with all my might, ' Keep away from my rye!' and then they'll listen to me.

But the lad screamed so loudly that the fox woke up and made off at once for the forest, so that the lad did not even get as much as a handful of his hair.

No, it's best always to take what you can reach, for of undone deeds you should never screech, as they saying goes.