On the 4th century BC, there were two inseparable friends who lived in Syracuse, Sicily. There was nothing one would not do for the other.

         One day Dionysius I, the king of Syracuse, accused Pythias of plotting against him. The tyrant of Syracuse felt quite upset with some of Pythias speeches; he followed the philosopher Pythagoras.

         The young thinker used to talk about the cruelty of Dionysius. As no one was allowed to criticise the ruler, Dionysius decided to arrest him.

         Pythias and his friend Damon were then arrested. Pythias then reaffirmed his point of view in front of the authorities. He said that what he was saying to the people was the truth; hence it would last, no matter what would take.

         As punishment for this crime, Pythias was sentenced to death. Accepting his sentence, Pythias asked to be allowed to return home one last time, to settle his affairs and bid his family farewell.

         Not wanting to be taken for a fool, Dionysius refused, believing that once released, Pythias would flee and never return.

         “I can see that besides thinking I am an unfair tyrant, you also consider me a fool. If you leave Syracuse, I am sure you will never return”, the king of Syracuse said to the prisoner.

         Damon stood up and asked the king to take his spot while Pythias went.

         Dionysius agreed, on the condition that, should Pythias not return when promised, Damon would be put to death in his place. Damon agreed, and Pythias was released.

         “You can be sure that Pythias will come back. Our friendship is well known for trust and loyalty to one another. I will stay here.”

         The king of Syracuse looked at both friends and….. Dionysius agreed, on the condition that, should Pythias not return when promised, Damon would be put to death in his place. Damon agreed, and Pythias was released.

         Many days passed by. Pythias didn’t return as yet. Dionysius was convinced that Pythias would never return. He then decided to check how the prisoner was doing.

         Was he already feeling sorry for the agreement he made?

         “Your time is coming to an end”, the king said. “I won’t accept you begging for mercy. You were such a fool for trusting your friend. Did you really think he would come back to die?”

         Damon responded with firmness: “he is just running late. I am sure he will be here soon. Perhaps he hasn’t been able to navigate due to the winds; maybe he had some problems on the road. I am sure he will be here on time.”

         Dionysius was quite surprised to hear the prisoner’s trust and confidence.

         As the day Pythias promised to return came and went, Dionysius prepared to execute Damon. The king was delighted with his victory.

         “It seems like your friend didn’t turn up. What do you think about him now?” Dionysius asked.

         “He is my friend. I trust him”, Damon replied.

         But just as the executioner was about to kill Damon, Pythias returned.

         He was looked pale, ill and exhausted. He then hugged his friend.

         “Thank God you are alive” – Pythias said in tears. He then apologized to his friend for his delay “it seemed like everything was conspiring against us. Pirates had captured our ship on the passage back to Syracuse and thrown me overboard.”

         Dionysius listened to Pythias as he described how he swam to shore and made his way back to Syracuse as quickly as possible, arriving just in the nick of time to save his friend.

         “I am now ready to fulfil my death sentence.” – Pythias completed.

         Dionysius was taken with the friends' trust and loyalty. It was impossible to rest to such a story.

         The king then declared: “you are free from your death sentence. I never imagine such trust and loyalty ever existed. You showed me I was wrong. I will set you free, but I need a big favour.”

         “What is it?” Pythias and his friend Damon asked.

         “You need to teach me how to maintain such a solid friendship.”