NAZIR JAHANGIR
As legend has it, a Roman princess fell deeply in love with a young man. With each passing day, her affection grew stronger. Secret meetings became a regular affair, and intimate tête-à-têtes a routine. The two were madly in love.
However, fate had other plans. The beautiful daughter of the Prime Minister also became enamored with the same young man. She, too, succeeded in forming a relationship with him.
One day, the two were caught in a compromising position. The young man was immediately arrested.
According to Roman law at the time, any man found guilty of having illicit relations with a woman was subjected to a unique form of punishment. In accordance with this law, two spacious cages were placed in a vast arena. These cages were sealed on all sides. A hungry lion was confined in one, and the woman with whom the young man was accused of having a relationship was confined in the other. All of this was done in absolute secrecy—only the king and a trusted servant knew which cage held which occupant.
On the appointed day, crowds thronged the arena to witness the spectacle. The accused man was brought forth and commanded to choose one of the two cages. If he opened the cage with the lion, he would be torn to pieces. If he opened the cage with the woman, he would be instantly married to her.
The stage was set. A sea of spectators had gathered. The king and his courtiers took their seats, and the princess sat in her royal gallery, her heart pounding. After much effort and using every resource at her disposal, she had discovered the secret: the lion was in the right cage, and the woman in the left.
The young man was thrust into the arena. The crowd held its breath, frozen with anticipation. The accused stood motionless, paralyzed by fear, drenched in sweat, barely able to breathe.
“Move forward!” the king thundered.
The young man turned instinctively toward the princess, hoping for a sign that might guide him to safety. But she remained silent.
His legs felt like stone. A guard kicked him from behind, forcing him to move. Slowly and unsteadily, he began to walk—every step a torment. Life and death lay ahead, and he had no idea which cage held his fate.
After a few paces, he paused again, looking back at the princess with desperation. Still, she gave no signal. The crowd watched in breathless silence, their hearts pounding.
He took a few more hesitant steps. In final despair, he turned once more toward the princess. This time, she gave a faint, uneasy smile and subtly gestured toward the right cage. Then she lowered her gaze.
A wave of relief washed over the young man. Trusting her signal, he turned and walked toward the right. The cage loomed before him.
As he opened the door, a chilling roar erupted from within. The next moment, a blood-curdling scream filled the air, freezing the crowd in horror. Their hearts leapt like fish on dry land.
The lion had torn the young man to pieces.
Nazir Jahangir is a noted journalist and columnist.
