Long ago two young men, Damon and Pythias, lived on the island of Sicily. They were famed far and wide for their great friendship.

At this time a cruel, tyrannical king named Dionysius ruled in the city of Syracuse. Dionysius had no feeling for the people whom he ruled.

He enforced his harsh and brutal laws pitilessly.
 

Terrified by the king's powerful army, the people were afraid to rebel.

He who was heard criticizing the king was severely punished.

Damon and Pythias, however, did not hesitate to criticize their cruel ruler.
 

One day a soldier of the king heard Pythias talking against Dionysius.

The soldier immediately arrested Pythias.

Pythias was brought before the king.
 

Unafraid, Pythias told the king that he was a cruel and evil tyrant.

Imagine how enraged the king was! He ordered Pythias put into chains and thrown into prison.

It was publicly announced that Pythias would die in two weeks.

Upon hearing this news, Damon rushed to the prison to see his friend.

He told Pythias that he was willing to die if his death was going to save his friend.
 

Pythias had an old mother and a sister about whom he was worried.

They were very poor. Pythias wanted to save them from starvation before he died. Damon went to the king and begged him to let Pythias go home before his execution.
 

He promised that he would die in place of Pythias if his friend did not return. Dionysius was astonished at this request. He looked at Damon with curiosity. He agreed to the request but warned that he would die if his friend did not return on time.
 

Pythias was released to see his mother and sister.

Damon took his place in the prison.

A week passed and Pythias had not yet returned. "Your friend has tricked you," said Dionysius.

Damon was not afraid. "I know that Pythias will return," he asserted.

Meanwhile Pythias arranged matters that his mother and sister might live comfortably. Then he left for Syracuse. On the way he was robbed of his money.

The robbers tied him to a tree and left him. After a struggle he freed himself and again set out for Syracuse. Time was running out. Pythias traveled day and night.

He stumbled through forests, crawled through swamps, and swam across deep rivers. The day of the execution dawned and Pythias had not arrived . Damon was led into the prison yard to be executed.

"Where is your dear friend now?" asked Dionysius with a sneer. "There is a reason for his not coming," said Damon. "I will gladly die for him." At that very time a pale, breathless man rushed into the prison yard.

It was Pythias. He threw his arms around Damon. He was glad because he arrived on time. The hard hearts of Dionysius and his soldiers were moved by this scene. "Never have I seen such faith and loyalty," said Dionysius. "You may both go free."
 

"Though I am rich, I would give up all my money if I had one friend like Damon and Pythias," the king said.