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Damon: Your Majesty, I have come to request that you permit Pythias

to go home to see his mother. This is his last wish.

Dionysius: How do I know he will return?

Damon: Your Majesty, I will take his place. If he does not come back

on that day, you may execute me instead of him.

Dionysius: I don’t think you understand what you are saying.

Damon: But, Your Majesty, I do. Pythias is my best friend. I know he

will keep his word.

Dionysius: I don’t believe it. Let me see if you really mean it. I will test

you. I will let you exchange places. Pythias must be back by
noon on the tenth day from today. If he does not return in

time, you will die in his place.

Narrator: So Pythias went to see his mother and sister while Damon

stayed in prison. He hurried home, so that he could return
in time. He made arrangements to take care of his mother

and sister. Then he told them sadly that he was unlucky. On

the way, he had to cross a forest. Some robbers caught him.

They stole all his money and tied him to a tree. It took him a

long time to free himself. He was very tired and weak from

hunger. He still had a long way to go. Meanwhile, in the

city, people were waiting for Pythias. The king went to visit
Damon.

Dionysius: Well! What do you have to say now? Where is your best
friend?

permit — to allow somebody to do something; execute — to do something
as planned

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