In those days there was a slave named Androcles in the Greek Empire. Not wanting to live as a slave, he escaped one day and ran away into the forest. He saw a lion there. At first the slave was afraid that life would end if he came to be freed from the slave life. But the lion was seen moaning in pain. Blood drips from its claw. A huge thorn pierced the lion’s leg and seriously injured him. The slave bravely stood in front of the lion and gently removed the thorn from its leg. For four days the lion recovered. The lion sheltered the slave in his den. For a few days the slave was in the lion’s den. Both of them ate the meat brought by the lion after the slave had cooked it. After a few days, soldiers came looking for the slave. Along with the slave in the cave, the lion was also locked in a cage and taken to the king. (Free Bedtime stories for kids)
In those days, slaves were kept in a wide field and released to a hungry lion. The lion used to tear the slave and eat the sack. Along with the emperor, the people of the city used to sit and enjoy watching this perverse sport live on the sports ground. A lion brought from the forest was captured and given no food for two days. After that one day the slave was kept in the open field and the lion was released. The hungry lion ran and attacked the slave Androcles. Tira went closer and saw that the slave was her friend. Immediately the lion turned into a puppy and gently licked the slave’s hand. The emperor was amazed to see a wild animal transformed into a saintly animal. They inquired why the lion did not attack the slave. Androcles, the slave, narrated in detail what had happened in the forest. Immediately the emperor ordered the slave to be freed from slavery by granting him a free life. Similarly, he ordered the lion to be released in the forest. Good people never forget the help others have given them.
A characteristic of the good is to show gratitude to those who have done them a favor.
Animal behavior in man Free Bedtime stories for kids
Many thousands of years ago, all the creatures on this earth died suddenly. All living beings are afraid of death as they do not know when it will overtake them. Once man also participated in this discussion along with donkey, dog and monkey. The man who participated in the discussion said “Friends! Every living being has to die one day. But it would be nice if there was a rule that we should definitely live these years. It would be good if we all go to God and take a boon from God so that we don’t die prematurely and live for a long time,” he said. The rest of the animals agreed with what the man said. Everyone started penance together. After some time God appeared and asked what do you want. (Free Bedtime stories for kids)
The man replied, “God! All the living beings in this earth world are suddenly dying whenever they fall. It would be good if we can make sure that we will live this long. We don’t mind if they die according to their karma. “You decide how long all living beings will live, excluding karma,” he prayed. “Okay! I will decide now how long you four will live. A donkey lives for 50 years and carries heavy loads. The dog guarded houses for 25 years and was very faithful to the owner. A monkey lives for twenty years and makes everyone laugh with his antics and becomes famous for his monkey deeds,” said the Lord. All the animals said, “Bhagavan! We have no objection to living with the qualities you have mentioned. But we do not want to live these years.” “How many years do you want to live?” asked God. Answering that, the donkey wanted to live for 20 years, the dog for 15 years, and the monkey for ten years. God said, “I am giving a boon for a man to live for 20 years comfortably, without jealousy, showing humanity and without facing any difficulties.” The man did not agree to that. His hope is to live many more years.
“God! The 20 years of life that they give me is too short. Add the 30 years that the donkey didn’t want, the ten years that the dog refused, the ten years that the monkey didn’t want, and grant me the boon to live at least 70 years,” the man explained. “Human! I have no objection to grant you the boon you desire. You wish to grant the years of life denied to the animals. If I do so, your behavior during the life span you receive from that animal will almost resemble those animal traits. Is that acceptable?” said the Lord. The man agreed. Because of that, all the creatures survived. Due to God’s blessing, donkey lived for 20 years, dog for ten years and monkey for ten years. And man’s life is in turmoil. God first gave man a life span of 20 years. Accordingly, for those twenty years the man lived comfortably, playing and singing, without knowing any hardships and without envy. From there animal behavior began in man. After the life of 20 years the life of 30 years absorbed from the donkey began. At that time the man worked like a donkey for his family and took care of all the needs of his wife and children, starting with their education. He did donkey work for others without having anything of his own. (Free Bedtime stories for kids)
After that began the ten years of life received from the dog. During this time the children grew up. They used to guard the man’s house wherever his wife and children went. He ate what they gave him and started guarding the house faithfully. After that began the ten years of life received from the monkey. At that old age, man started doing all the tricks of a monkey. If someone sees a girl, it is enough to ask, “What is it, grandchild! Will you marry me?” “I won’t do it” scolding everyone, carrying grandchildren on their backs and playing horse games. Laughing slyly, he went through life with this kind of monkey antics and finally reached the presence of God. In the hope of living longer, man took the life that animals did not want and lived a life similar to the behavior of animals during those life spans. After suffering many hardships, man finally reached God.
