Androcles and the Lion
Androcles was a slave in ancient Rome in the time of the Emperor Tiberius. One day, Androcles escaped
from his master and fled into the dense forests, hoping to find refuge and freedom. As he wandered through the
wilderness, Androcles came suddenly upon a fierce lion with a thorn embedded deeply in its paw. Feeling
compassion for the suffering animal, Androcles approached slowly, gaining the lion's trust with gentle words and
soothing actions.
He carefully removed the thorn from the lion’s paw, easing its pain. To Androcles's surprise, the lion did
not attack or harm him but rather showed gratitude and affection. The lion became his loyal friend, following him
throughout the forest, protecting him from other wild animals and providing him with food. One day, Androcles
was caught by Roman soldiers and brought back to the city. He was sentenced to death for his act of escape. The
day of his execution arrived, and he was thrown into the Coliseum, where a ferocious lion was released to attack
him. As the lion charged towards Androcles, he recognized his old companion. Instead of attacking, the lion
approached Androcles, wagging its tail and expressing joy.
The crowd watched in astonishment as Androcles embraced the lion. Instead of attacking, the lion
approached Androcles, wagging its tail and expressing joy. The crowd roared with amazement as Androcles
embraced the lion. Amazed by this remarkable display of loyalty and compassion, the Emperor Tiberius spared
Androcles' life and granted him freedom. Androcles and the lion became a symbol of the power of kindness and
the bond that can develop between humans and animals. The story of Androcles and the lion teaches us that
even the fiercest of creatures can show gratitude and love when treated with kindness and compassion. It
reminds us of the value of empathy and the potential for friendship that exists in the most unexpected places.
Reading the Text-Narratives
Component 1
1. What information do we usually find in the fist part of a narrative?
2. How does the narrative get going?
3. How is the narrative ended?
Component 3A
Word Meaning Sentence
ANCIENT
EMPEROR
EMBEDDED
COMPASSION
GRATITUDE
AFFECTION
COLISEUM
SYMBOL
EMPATHY
Component 4B
Question Answer Evidence from Text
1. Narratives begin by telling us
about the Who, Where and
When of the story to come. In
this Narrative, what does the
first paragraph tell us about who
is involved, and where and when
does he story happen?
2. How does Androcles avoid
being killed by the lion in the
forest?
3. Find evidence of the bravery
of Androcles in the narrative
Component 4C
Question Answer Evidence from Text
4. Why does the Emperor
Tiberius set Androcles free?
5. Write the moral of the story in
your own words.
6. What is your opinion of the
moral of the story? Is it true-to-
life? Give a reason for your
answer.
Component 5D
1.The focus of the lesson was on learning more about how narratives work. How has the lesson helped you to understand
the difference?
2.Which questions were easy to answer? Why?
3.What strategies did you use to answer the harder questions?
