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
Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back, first published in 1963, is a children's story written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. It is narrated by Shel Silverstein in the voice of a character named Uncle Shelby. "Lafcadio" first appeared in the pages of "Playboy" magazine in the November 1963 edition of the magazine. It was part of a long history of Silverstein's contributions to the magazine and his close relationship with Hugh Hefner, the publication's founder. The story was afterwards turned into a children's book. An unnamed young lion is living in the jungle somewhere