The Lion And His Keeper


In a large continental menagerie there was a lion called Danco, whose cage

was in want of some repairs. His keeper desired a carpenter to set about

it, but when the workman came and saw the lion, he started back with

terror. The keeper entered the animal's cage, and led him to the upper

part of it, while the lower was refitting. He there amused himself for

some time playing with the lion, and being wearied, he soon fell asleep.
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The carpenter, fully relying upon the vigilance of the keeper, pursued his

work with rapidity, and when he had finished, he called him to see what

was done. The keeper made no answer. Having repeatedly called in vain, he

began to feel alarmed at his situation, and he determined to go to the

upper part of the cage, where, looking through the railing, he saw the

lion and the keeper sleeping side by side. He immediately uttered a loud

cry; the lion, awakened by the noise, started up and stared at the

carpenter with an eye of fury, and then, placing his paw on the breast of

his keeper, lay down to sleep again. At length the keeper was awakened by

some of the attendants, and he did not appear in the least apprehensive on

account of the situation in which he found himself, but shook the lion by

the paw, and then gently conducted him to his former residence.



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