During the days of slavery, there lived a very hard-working slave. One day, to gain freedom, he ran away from his master’s house. As he passed a forest, he saw a lion roaring with pain, for a huge thorn had pierced his paw. The slave felt sorry for the lion and took out the thorn gently. The grateful lion licked the slave’s hand. But just then, both of them were captured by the soldiers. The king ordered, “Let the runaway slave be thrown in front of a hungry lion.” But, when the slave was thrown in front of the lion, the lion licked him and quietly sat beside him. The amazed king asked the slave, “What is all this!” The slave replied, “Sir, I had helped this lion when he was in distress.” He told the king everything. The king pardoned the slave. The lion was also freed and sent to the forest.
Moral: A kind deed always pays.
