St Jerome and the Lion

The peace of the monastery garden where Father Jerome is talking with three Brothers, Thomas, James and John, is disturbed by the appearance of a lion limping on three paws. Father Jerome calms the nervous bretheren and attends to the wounded beast. The lion is grateful and remains at the monestery where he is given the task of looking after the donkey. One evening, however, some months later he returns without his charge and Thomas, distrustful by nature, is sure that he has devoured him. Jerome refuses to allow the lion to be driven away and imposes on him the penance of doing the donkey's work. The lion accepts this as just and when off duty always returns to the field and watches the road. One day, some weeks later, he returns jubilantly with the donkey. They are soon followed by three merchants, footsore and weary, who have just been through a frightening experience. A lion they say, has attacked their caravan and driven off their donkey. At the sight of the lion, however, they are obliged to confess they stole the donkey one afternoon when the lion was sleeping. They repent of their transgression, and even Thomas believes in the lion's innocence.