How the Lion and the Mouse Solved the Forest’s Biggest Problem

### How the Lion and the Mouse Solved the Forest’s Biggest Problem

Once, in a big green forest, all the animals lived happily. A shiny river ran through the middle of the forest. It gave water to the trees, filled the ponds, and kept the grass fresh.

One hot summer, the river started to dry. First, the water became shallow. Then cracks appeared in the mud. Flowers drooped, and ponds turned into puddles. Everyone felt worried.

The animals called a meeting near the old baobab tree. Elephants flapped their ears to stay cool. Monkeys scratched their heads. Zebras stamped their hooves nervously.

Leo the lion, king of the forest, stood up. His mane gleamed like gold. “Friends,” he said, “our river is in danger. Without it, we will lose our home. We must find out what’s wrong.”

But no one had an answer. Some animals thought the clouds had forgotten them. Others said maybe the river had run away underground.

At the edge of the crowd sat Mina the mouse. She was tiny, with soft brown fur. She spoke in a small voice, “Maybe we should walk up the river and see what is blocking it.”

A baboon laughed. “That’s too far for a mouse!” But Leo nodded. “A good idea is a good idea, no matter who says it. Mina and I will go.”

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#### The Journey

Early next morning, Leo and Mina set off. Leo’s big paws pressed prints into the dry ground. Mina ran beside him, quick as a breeze.

They walked through tall grass and dusty clearings. Mina darted under rocks and between roots, always scouting ahead. When Leo grew hot, Mina pointed out shady spots where they could rest.

By late afternoon, they reached the beginning of the river, a clear spring at the bottom of a hill. But something strange was there: a huge pile of sticks, stones, and mud blocked the water. Only thin trickles escaped.

“It’s a dam,” Mina squeaked. “Someone built it.”

Leo peered closer and saw beavers working busily. They were adding more logs, making the wall even higher.

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#### Talking to the Beavers

Leo stepped forward carefully. “Friends,” he said in his deep voice, “your dam is stopping water from reaching the rest of the forest. Plants are dying, and animals are thirsty.”

The leader of the beavers twitched his tail. “We didn’t mean to harm anyone,” he said. “We only wanted to keep crocodiles away from our babies. We didn’t know the river would run dry.”

Mina climbed to the top of the dam. She looked at how the water gathered behind it. “Maybe we can help both sides,” she said. “What if we build small channels? Water can flow to the forest, and your home will stay safe.”

The beavers looked at each other. “Could that work?”

Leo smiled. “It can, if we all help.”

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#### Building the Plan

Right away, everyone started to work. Leo used his strong paws to push heavy stones aside. The beavers chewed branches into neat shapes. Mina showed where to dig little paths for the water.

Soon more animals arrived. Elephants used their trunks to scoop dirt. Monkeys brought vines to tie sticks. Antelopes stomped the soil flat to make smooth channels.

They worked until the sky turned orange. Finally, water rushed through the new paths, splashing down the hill. It ran fast and cool toward the thirsty forest.

All the animals cheered. The beavers clapped their tails. Mina, sitting proudly on Leo’s back, grinned from ear to ear.

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#### Back to the Forest

When Leo and Mina returned, the river was already filling its banks. Frogs croaked happily. Birds dived into the water, flapping with joy. Trees stood straighter, drinking the fresh flow.

That evening the animals gathered for a feast. They ate ripe fruit and sweet berries and told stories about the day.

Leo raised his paw. “Today we learned that even the smallest creature can have the biggest idea,” he said.

Mina’s ears turned pink, but she spoke up. “And I learned that big problems are easier when we work together.”

From then on, if trouble came to the forest, the animals remembered the lesson of the lion and the mouse: strength is important, but so are clever thoughts and helping paws.

#### Moral

Even the biggest problem can be solved when everyone — big or small — uses their skills and works as a team.