The Lion and the Mouse

Short Version

Once there was a lion. One day, he was sleeping near his cave. A little mouse was playing nearby. The mouse did not see the lion and ran over his body.

The lion woke up and caught the mouse with his big paw. He wanted to eat him. The mouse was very afraid and said, “Please let me go. One day, I may help you.”

The lion laughed because the mouse was very small. But he felt sorry for him and let him go.

Some days later, some hunters caught the lion in a net. The lion tried hard to get free, but he could not.

The little mouse heard him and came quickly. He cut the ropes with his teeth. Soon, the lion was free.

The lion thanked the little mouse.

Moral: Little friends may prove great friends.

Expanded Version

Once there was a powerful lion living in a forest. One afternoon, he was sleeping peacefully near his cave. A little mouse was playing nearby and running through the grass.

The mouse did not notice the sleeping lion. While playing, it ran across the lion’s body. The lion woke up suddenly and caught the mouse under his large paw.

The mouse became very frightened. The lion opened his mouth and was about to eat it.

The mouse cried, “Please let me go. I am very small, but one day I may be able to help you.”

The lion laughed. He could not imagine how such a tiny mouse could ever help a strong lion. Still, he felt sorry for the mouse and let it go.

Some days later, hunters came to the forest. They set a strong net and caught the lion. The lion struggled and roared, but the ropes were too strong.

The little mouse heard the lion’s roar and ran to the place. It saw its old friend trapped in the net.

“Do not worry,” said the mouse. It began to bite the ropes with its sharp teeth. It worked patiently until the ropes broke.

Soon, the lion was free. He thanked the little mouse and understood that even a small friend can be useful in a great danger.

Moral: Little friends may prove great friends.