This story takes place in the time of Nero. It was common for Christians to be thrown to the lions in the Coliseum.
One day a strange thing happened, the lions wouldn’t eat the Christians. Word got back to Nero and he rushed to the Coliseum.
“What is happening?” he demanded of his guards. They replied: “We don’t know but one Christian walked up to the lions, whispered in their ears and after that they slunk away.”
“Right” said Nero, “bring him to me”. The Christian was brought to him and Nero demanded: “What have you done to my lions? What spell have you cast over them?”
The Christian who was a modest man said: “My Emperor, I haven’t passed any spell. I simply told them that after they’ve eaten, they’ve got to make a speech.”