According to fable, from what animal’s paw did Androcles pull a thorn?

Lion.

According to the famous fable, Androcles, sometimes spelled “Androclus” in different versions, pulled a thorn from the paw of a lion. This story, often associated with Aesop’s Fables, though not officially part of Aesop’s collection, is a classic example of kindness and compassion between man and beast, illustrating the idea of mutual aid between different species.

The tale of Androcles and the Lion has been told and retold in various cultures and through numerous adaptations, each version highlighting the timeless moral lessons embedded in the story. The most common rendition of the fable goes as follows:

Androcles is a slave in Ancient Rome, who escapes from his master and flees into the wilderness. While hiding in the forest, he encounters a lion in distress. Despite his fear, Androcles notices that the lion is limping and in pain because of a large thorn lodged in its paw. Moved by compassion, Androcles overcomes his fear and carefully removes the thorn, relieving the lion of its agony. Instead of attacking him, the lion befriends Androcles, and they live together in the forest for a while.

However, the story takes a turn when Androcles is eventually captured and taken back to Rome. As punishment, he is thrown into the arena to face a ferocious lion. To the astonishment of the spectators, the lion that is brought to the arena is the same one Androcles had helped in the forest. Recognizing his friend, the lion refuses to harm Androcles, approaching him gently and affectionately.

The story ends with the Emperor, moved by this display of friendship and loyalty, pardoning Androcles and setting him free. The tale becomes a symbol of the power of compassion, kindness, and the unexpected bonds that can form between beings, regardless of their nature.

The moral of the story underscores several themes. Firstly, it teaches that acts of kindness, no matter how small or to whom they are directed, can have profound and unexpected consequences. Secondly, it illustrates that friendship and gratitude can transcend the natural boundaries assumed between species, in this case, between a human and a wild animal. Finally, the story serves as a reminder of the interconnectivity of all living beings and the potential for understanding and empathy in unlikely circumstances.