Androcles and the Lion: A Fable Play (Classic Reprint)
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What’s inside...
Excerpt from Androcles and the Lion: A Fable Play features a dialogue between Androcles and Megaera discussing blame and fault in their relationship. The book is published by Forgotten Books, which specializes in reproducing rare and classic books using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format and repair imperfections in aged copies. Despite efforts, some imperfections may remain to preserve the historical state of the work.
Age
11-12
Length
58 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Androcles
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Androcles to help the lion despite the danger?
How do you think the lion felt when Androcles removed the thorn from its paw?
Why is it important to help others, even if they might seem scary or different at first?
What would you have done if you were in Androcles' place?
How do you think the story would change if Androcles hadn’t helped the lion?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the setting of the play. Ask them how they would feel and what they would do.
Highlight the themes of kindness and bravery. Discuss with your child how these qualities can be applied in their day-to-day life.
Ask your child to think of a time when they helped someone and how it made them feel. Relate those feelings back to Androcles' character.
After reading the story, you could have a role-play session where you and your child act out key scenes. This could help deepen their understanding of the characters' emotions and actions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Compassion and kindness
Explanation: The story exemplifies compassion through Androcles’ act of removing a thorn from the lion’s paw, despite the potential danger.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of helping others in distress, teaching them to be empathetic and kind in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: Androcles displays bravery by facing the lion instead of running away, which ultimately leads to a bond of trust and gratitude.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their fears and challenges, understanding that courage can lead to positive outcomes and friendships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The play shows that Androcles’ good deed towards the lion later results in the lion sparing his life, demonstrating that good actions can lead to good consequences.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others, promoting responsible behavior.
Example Lesson: Reciprocity in relationships
Explanation: The mutual aid between Androcles and the Lion illustrates how acts of kindness are often reciprocated, reinforcing positive social behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of helping others, knowing that such acts build trust and cooperation in relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Androcles faces various challenges but his ability to maintain hope and compassion in difficult times is a central theme.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to remain resilient and optimistic, no matter the obstacles they encounter in life.