Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop

A Lion was sleeping peacefully when he was woken by a mouse running up and down his back. With lightening speed the Lion reached out and caught the little mouse in one of his large paws.

 

He dangled it by its tail and roared, “I’m the King of Beasts! You’ll pay with your life for showing me such disrespect.”  The Lion held the little mouse over his huge open jaws and prepared to swallow it.

 

“Please, please don’t eat me, Mr King of Beasts, Sir,” squeaked the mouse. “If you forgive me this time and let me go I’ll never, never forget it and I may be able to do you a good turn in the future to repay your kindness,” the mouse pleaded.

 

“You! Do me a favour?” roared the Lion with laughter. “That is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”  Still laughing, the Lion put the mouse down on the ground. “You’ve made me laugh so much I can’t eat you now. Go on quickly before I change my mind” the lion said.  The little mouse scurried away as fast as its little legs could go.

 

Not long after this the Lion was caught in a trap by some hunters. The hunters tied him to a tree with some rope. The  Lion let out a mighty roar for help.  The little mouse heard the roar came hurrying along. 

 

The little mouse promptley started gnawing away at the rope with his sharp teeth until the Lion had been set free.

 

“You didn’t believe me, but I knew you I could help you one day,” squeaked the little mouse. “Even a little mouse like me can help some one as big and strong as you.”

 

“Thank you my little friend. I won’t forget that lesson.” said the Lion as he ran away before the hunters returned.