Androcles and the Lion (play) run from his Roman persecutors. While hiding in the forest he comes upon a wild lion who approaches him with a wounded paw. His wife runs off. Androcles sees that the cause of the animal's distress is a large thorn embedded in its paw, which he draws out while soothing the lion in baby language. Androcles is captured and is sent to the Colosseum to be executed with other Christians in gladiatorial combat. They are joined by a new Christian convert called Ferrovius, who struggles to reconcile his Christian principles with his violent inclinations. The Roman captain guarding them is
Andy and the Lion lion, the very same one Andy had helped earlier to take the thorn out of his paw. Andy and the lion rejoice in excitement of seeing one another again. When the crowd attempts to capture the lion, Andy protects it. The next day, there is a parade and Andy and the lion are in the lead. Andy receives an award for bravery. At the end of the story, Andy returns the book about lions that he borrowed from the library, pulling his friend the lion behind him. The New York Public Library Spencer Collection is home to James Daugherty original