Lesson 29 – Androcles and the Lion
piteously: in such a way as to cause pity; making (Androcles) feel sorry for it
cautiously: very carefully
whimpered: made unhappy, frightened sounds
distress: sorrow, suffering, pain
summoning up his courage: making a great effort to be brave
deftly: skilfully and quickly
arena: a place where sports, entertainments and other public events take place
ferocious: fierce
Things to do
1. Answer the following questions:
(a) Describe the life of slaves in your own words.
Ans: The slaves were forced to work for their masters. They had to do what their master told them. They had no freedom and no rights. Many of the masters were very wicked and treated their slaves very cruelly.
(b) What did Androcles feel about his master?
Ans: Androcles did not like his wicked master. His master starved his slaves and often whipped them. Androcles felt that even death was better than serving such a master.
(c) What tells us that Androcles was not a coward?
Ans: Androcles took shelter in a forest. He was not afraid of the wild beasts that roamed the forest. This tells us that Androcles was not a coward.
(d) How did Androcles help the lion?
Ans: Androcles quickly pulled out the thorn from the lion’s injured paw. He remained with the lion until it could walk again. Every day, he would clean and dress the wound. He would hunt in the forest and share his food with the lion.
(e) Did the lion recognize Androcles in the arena? What did it do?
Ans: Yes, the lion recognized Androcles in the arena. When it saw him, it suddenly stopped on the tracks. Then it moved slowly forward. It bounded towards Androcles, and when it reached him, it began to purr and rub its nose against him.
(f) What did Androcles ask for?
Ans: Androcles asked to set free the lion.
2. Guess the meaning of the following phrases and use them in your own sentences:
(a) face to face
Ans: I was trying to hide from my angry father but I suddenly found myself face to face with my mother.
(b) high and low
Ans: I looked high and low for my lost umbrella but could not find it.
(c) draw near
Ans: As examination dates draw near, I start getting scared.
(d) to everyone’s amazement
Ans: To everyone’s amazement, I defeated the strongest boy in the wrestling match.
3. Find out at least five pairs of opposites from the story.
Ans:
(a) kind × cruel
(b) high × low
(c) punishment × reward
(d) unhappy × happy
(e) slave × master
4. Narrate the story in short in your own words.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.