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THE LION WHO NEVER FORGOT!
Based on the Aesop fable,
'Androcles and the Lion'
In a forest, full of trees…
sat a lion on his knees!
A mighty paw was in pain!
He screamed for help, but in vain!!
‘I have no fingers, only claws.
A thorn is stuck in my paw.
Pull it out!’ he roared and said,
He limped around and moaned in dread!
Just as he was losing hope…
Whats that sliding down the slope??
A poor slave, on the run!
Panting, sweating, in the sun.
Androcles, the running slave,
saw the lion and thought, ‘be brave.
It can’t get any worse today
but wait, the lion’s in dismay.’
Towards the lion he slowly stepped,
as it sat and quietly wept!
Then he saw the bleeding paw.
The thorn it held in its jaw!
‘Poor thing,’ he said, ‘hold on still.’
He pulled the thorn with gentle skill.
The lion sighed and down he lay.
Androcles then walked away.
A few days on… a twist of fate
Slave was caught and used as bait!
Thrown in the arena, told to fight,
he shivered head to toe in fright!!
Soon the animal gate flew open!
The crowds quiet, nothing spoken!!
Out stepped a hungry beast…
A lion ready for a feast!!
The lion roared, the crowd shivered!
Androcles arms and legs quivered!!
The lion stared with angry eyes!!!
And then there was a big surprise!!!!
The beast walked in the arena grand,
to the man and licked his hand!!
The crowd gasped and then applauded!
‘This man and beast must be rewarded!!’
So it was that in the end,
The lion didn’t forget his friend.
Androcles never forgot the day,
the lion stole his heart away!
Hey kids! Does this story make you think about helping someone in need? Is there someone you know who needs your help?
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