The Servant does not kill the child Oedipus as he was ordered to do because "He pitied the child" based on the Oedipus Rex story. The servant was ordered to kill the child because of the prophecy that predicted King Laius' death. The king already had attempted to hurt Oedipus by piercing Oedipus's ankle. However, the servant did not finish the job and he rather saved the baby Oedipus.