The lion was king of the forest. In the noon heat he lay fast asleep in the shade of a banyan tree, snoring away — and along came a tiny mouse, hop-skipping through the grass.
Skipping about, the mouse ran right up the lion's nose! The king woke with a roar — and pinned the mouse under his great paw. Trembling, the mouse squeaked — “Forgive me, Your Majesty! Let me go, and someday I'll help you too.”
The lion burst out laughing — “You? A little thing like you, help me? Ha ha ha!” Still chuckling, he lifted his paw. “Off you go.” The mouse bowed low — “I'll never forget this kindness.”
Some days later, hunters had spread a net deep in the forest. At dusk the lion got caught in it! The more he struggled, the tighter it wrapped around him. The king roared — “Anyone there? Help me!” The whole forest trembled.
The little mouse heard that call. She ran and ran and ran, and stopped right on top of the net. “Don't be afraid, Your Majesty — I'm here!” And with her sharp teeth she chewed at the ropes — nibble nibble! One rope… two ropes… three…
Before the morning light, the net tore open! Out came the lion — free! He gasped — “So small, and yet it's you who saved me!” The mouse grinned — “Told you, didn't I, Your Majesty? Someday I'd help you too.”
From that day on, the lion and the mouse were the best of friends. As the sun went down, the king called the whole forest — “Listen, everyone! No one's too small — and kindness never goes to waste.”