Once there was a lion called Murphy. He was very big and strong, and his mane was long and beautiful.

Every evening Murphy went down to the river to drink his fill. One dim evening, on the way up the river bank he fell over a thorny bush. With great effort, he twisted himself out of the bush, but as he got out, a thorn was in his foot.

As he hobbled along, he saw a poor slave called Andy who had run away from his cruel master. Murphy looked at him and wondered if he can help with his bad foot.

He held up his paw. The slave knelt down and gently pulled the thorn out.

By that time, Andy’s cruel master came and caught him. Andy was punished for his running away that he would have to fight with a lion in front of the Emperor. Later Murphy was caught by some hunters.

Andy stood in front of the Emperor. All the people kept silence waiting for the fight. He was very frightened. The lion in the cage was frightened, too.

The lion was let out of the cage and ran towards him. Andy kept running away. Suddenly, the lion stopped and looked at Andy. Andy stopped and looked at the lion. It was Murphy the lion. He rolled over on his back with all four feet in the air, showing friendliness to Andy. Andy came close to him and hugged Murphy.

The Emperor was so surprised. He set them both free. They went back to the forest and lived happily ever after.