Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and
down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw
upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.
"Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive
me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be
able to do you a turn some of these days?"The Lion was so tickled
at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up
his paw and let him go.
Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who
desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they
went in search of a waggon to carry him on.
Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad
plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away
the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?"
said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.
