THE place is the Coliseum. Before a crowd of thousands, a Christian stands alone in the centre of the arena. He is calm and unafraid. Nero has starved six of his fiercest lions for a week to assure the blood-thirsty crowd a good performance.
The first lion is released and bounds towards its victim, then an amazing thing happens. The beast freezes as the Christian whispers into its ear. Tail between its legs, the lion slinks away.
One by one, five more lions retreat after the Christian whispers to them. The crowd becomes angry, and Nero demands that the Christian be brought before him. "What do you say that makes the lions cower so?" asks Nero. "Tell me and I'll grant you your freedom."
"It's simple," explains the Christian. "I just tell them, 'Remember, you'll be expected to say a few words after your dinner.' "
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