The Lion and the Mouse

Once upon a time, in the golden grasslands of Africa, there lived a mighty lion. He was the king of all the animals, with a great golden mane and a thunderous roar.

One hot afternoon, the lion lay sleeping under a shady tree. A tiny mouse came scurrying by, not looking where she was going. She ran right across the lion's nose!

The lion woke with a start and caught the mouse under his huge paw.

"How dare you wake me!" roared the lion. "I shall eat you for my lunch!"

"Oh please, mighty lion!" squeaked the little mouse, trembling with fear. "Please let me go! I'm so small I wouldn't even make a mouthful. And someday, I might be able to help you!"

The lion laughed loudly. "You? Help me? That's the silliest thing I've ever heard! What could a tiny mouse do for a great lion like me?"

But the lion was feeling kind that day. He lifted his paw and let the mouse go.

"Thank you, thank you!" said the mouse. "I will never forget your kindness!" And she scurried away into the grass.

Many days later, the lion was walking through the jungle when he stepped into a hunter's trap! A great net fell over him and tangled him up tight. The more he struggled, the more tangled he became.

The lion roared and roared for help, but none of the other animals were brave enough to come near the hunters' trap.

The little mouse heard the lion's roars from far away. She remembered how the lion had let her go, and she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.

When she found the lion tangled in the net, she said, "Don't worry, mighty lion! I will save you!"

The mouse began to gnaw at the ropes with her sharp little teeth. She chewed and chewed, and one by one, the ropes broke apart.

At last, the lion was free!

"Little mouse," said the lion, "I was wrong to laugh at you. You saved my life! Even though you are small, you have done what no other animal could do."

The mouse smiled. "No act of kindness is ever wasted," she said. "And even the smallest friend can be the greatest help."

From that day on, the lion and the mouse were the best of friends.

The End