FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN. .

THE STORY OF PYTHIAS AND DAMON. My Dear Little Friends, — On Friday, April 25, all New Zealanders celebrate Anzac l Day— the day set aside by New Zealanders in honour of all her brave sons who gave their lives that we might remain a free people. It was on April 25, 1915, that the Anzacs, the men of the Australian and Zealand Army Corps, landed at Gallipoli and carried out an offensive against great odds in a way which gained world-wide recognition. ■ "Greater love hath no man than this, thai a man lay down his lire tor his friends," is a well-known quotation with which even we little people are quite familiar, and throughout the ages there have always been those'/who are willing to make this supreme sacrifice for others. From ancient Sicily we have the story of Damon and Pythias, two friends who were each prepared to give his life in order that his friend should go unharmed. At that time Dionysius, a great tyrant, ruled over Syracuse, a town in Sicily, and one day his wrath Tell upon a young man named Pythias, who had complained of the ruler's cruelty, and he immediately ordered the youth to be put to death. Pythias, however, begged to be allowed to see his wife and children before he was executed. The ruler laughed at this suggestion. "Once safely out of my reach," he thought, "and the prisoner will certainly never return again." , * > Pythias, however, said that he had a friend who would stand surety for him, and in reply to his call Damon came forward, saying that he would take his friend's place, and if he did not return would die in his place. The Emperor was astounded at such friendship and allowed the prisoner six hours in which to bid his wife and children goodbye. Pythias expected to be back in four hours, but when four hours had gone he had not come. Five hours, then almost six hours passed, but still there was no sign of him. The happiest matt in the prison was Damon, who actually hoped that Pythias would not return because he was willing and anxious to suffer in his place and spare his . friend for the sake of his wife and children. At. last the death day dawned and Dicnysius came to see his prisoner die. > Quietly and bravely Damon preparefl for his execution. His friend, he said, had had an accident, or perhaps he was ill. At almost the very moment of the execution, however, Pythias arrived and . embraced his friend. ' . He was tired and travel-stained. His horse had been killed and he had had to get another, but by hard rid'ng he returned just in time to save Damon from suffering for him. Bui Damon d:d not wish it so. He pleaded with Pythias, he pleaded with Dionysius, to let him bear the punishment instead' of his friend. Dionysius had > never seen such faithfulness before. Here was something beautiful that he did not think existed in the world a friendship that welcomed death if death would help a friend. His was stirred within him; he wanted men like these to be his friends. He came up to Damon and Pythias as they were disputing, each eager - to- give up his life for the / L/ t Q other. Dionysius took their hands, >oT set them free, and begged to be allowed to share their friendship.