In the vast jungles of Africa, a mighty lion once ruled. His roar was so fierce that birds flew from trees, and all animals trembled in fear whenever he appeared.
One day, while hunting, the lion stepped on a dry thorny branch. A sharp thorn pierced into his right paw.
The pain was unbearable. He couldn’t walk, let alone hunt. Groaning, he sat beneath a large tree—helpless, like a fallen king, no longer roaring but silently weeping.
Just then, a poor shepherd boy happened to pass by. He was terrified at first, but pity overtook his fear. Slowly, with trembling hands, he said:
— “O King, if you promise not to harm me, I can help remove the thorn.”
The lion said nothing. He simply lowered his head and offered his paw.
Gently, the boy pulled out the thorn. Blood came out, but the lion sat calmly, bearing the pain.
As soon as the pain eased, the lion began licking the boy—like a grateful friend.
The boy didn’t feel scared anymore. With tears in his eyes, he quietly walked away, having learned a powerful truth: even the fiercest creature can have a heart full of gratitude.
A year later, the same boy was wrongly accused by a wealthy man and thrown into prison.
Without a proper trial, the king declared:
“Throw him into the cage of a hungry lion!”
A public execution was announced. Thousands gathered to witness the scene.
But when the lion entered the cage, instead of attacking, it walked around the boy gently—nuzzling him, licking him, protecting him!
Gasps filled the arena. Even the king stood in shock.
The boy calmly said,
— “This is the lion I once helped. I removed a thorn from his paw. He remembers.”
The king fell silent. And then he spoke:
— “If even a wild beast remembers kindness, why shouldn’t we humans?”
The boy was set free. And the king rewarded him with honor.
🎓 Moral of the Story:
He whom you help today, may become your savior tomorrow.
Gratitude lives even in wild creatures—what excuse do we humans have?
No act of kindness ever goes to waste.