The Bear and the Gardener in this case keeping the flies off a friend, and the ultimate good of safeguarding his welfare. The story gained currency in England from the 18th century on through translations or imitations of La Fontaine. One of its earliest appearances was in Robert Dodsley's "Select fables of Esop and other fabulists" (1764), where it is given the title "The Hermit and the Bear" and a milder ending. In this version a hermit has done the bear a good turn; later still this was identified with taking a thorn from its paw, drawing on the story of Androcles and the Lion.
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