The man gave himself up for lost, but to his utter astonishment, the Lion, instead of springing upon him and devouring him, came and fawned upon him, at the same time whining and lifting up his paw. Observing it to be much swollen and inflamed, he examined it and found a large thorn stuck in the ball of the foot. He removed it quickly and dressed the wound as well as he could. In course of time it healed up completely. The Lion’s gratitude was unbounded. He looked upon the man as his friend, and they shared the cave for some time together.