True story of the lion

 

I'm sure you've all heard Aesop's story about Androcles and the lion. Basically, Androcles was an escaped slave who met an injured lion in the forest. The lion had a thorn in his paw and the slave withdrew the thorn and healed him. Years later both the slave and the lion were captured and the slave was sent into the big arena and the lion released to kill him in front of the crowd gathered for the spectacle. The lion recognised the slave and did not kill him.

Well, it seems the story became true recently, as I read in a magazine.

A scientist found an injured lion and healed him. After a short while recuperating, the lion was released again in the wild.

Years later whilst visiting a zoo the scientist recognised the lion. He was convinced it was the lion he had healed in the forest. The lion sat there calmly, looking at him, (see photo above).

The scientist asked the zoo management to let him into the enclosure. They thought he was mad and refused. He insisted and explained how it would be great publicity for the zoo when the story is made public. The managers were not convinced. The lawyers were brought in and after writing an indemnity agreement releasing the zoo of all liabilities, and after checking with the health and safety people, the zoo finally agreed to let the scientist into the lion's enclosure.

As the scientist got in, the lion turned his head and ignored him. A few steps forwards and the lion did not move. Then all of a sudden he pounced and attacked the scientist. They had to tranquillise him with several darts and they saved the scientist.

It was not the same lion!