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ANDROCLES AND THE LION
Others cried, "Let the lion go free too! Give both of them their liberty!"
The gate opened and the hungry lion rushed in. With a single bound he reached the frightened slave. Androcles gave a great cry, not of fear, but of gladness. It was his old friend the lion of the cave.
Therefore Androcles was set free and the lion was given to him as a present. They lived together in Rome for many years.
The people expected the lion to kill the man. However, they were filled with wonder. They saw Androcles put his arms around the lion's neck. They saw the lion lie down at his feet and lick them lovingly. They saw the great beast rub his head against
the slave's face as though he wanted to be petted. They could not understand what it all meant
After a while the king asked Androcles to tell them how he had a lion for a friend! He stood up before them and, with his arm around the lion's neck, told how he and the beast had lived together in the cave.
"I am a man," he said, “but no man has ever befriended me. This lion has been kind to me and we love each other very much."
"Always put yourself in others shogs. If you feel it hurts you, it will probably hurt the other person too."
- Unknown
The people could not be cruel to the slave any more. “Live and be free!” they cried. "Live and be free!”
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THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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