The Lion and the Little Mouse

In the heart of the vast, golden savanna, where the sun burned high and the winds whispered through the tall grass, there lived a lion named Simba. He was known far and wide as the fiercest creature of all. His roar echoed through the land like thunder, and animals of every size would scatter at the sound.

One hot afternoon, after filling his belly with a meal, Simba lay down beneath a tall acacia tree and fell into a deep sleep. As he slept, a tiny gray mouse named Momo scampered through the grass, searching for seeds to store for the coming dry season.

Without realizing it, Momo ran right across the lion’s paw.

With a sudden growl, Simba awoke. In the blink of an eye, his great paw pinned the terrified mouse to the ground. Momo’s tiny heart thumped wildly in his chest as he stared up at the lion’s fierce golden eyes.

“Who dares wake me from my sleep?” Simba growled.

“I-I’m sorry, great Lion! I didn’t mean to disturb you,” squeaked Momo. “Please let me go! I am far too small to be of any use to you.”

Simba raised an eyebrow. “Why should I spare you, little mouse? You are barely a mouthful.”

Momo trembled but spoke bravely. “Because one day, who knows, I might be able to help you too.”

At this, Simba laughed — a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the very leaves above them. “You? Help me? You’re no bigger than my claw! What help could you possibly give?”

Still, something about the mouse’s courage amused the lion. With a slow, heavy sigh, Simba lifted his paw and let Momo go. “Run along, little one. Stay out of trouble.”

Momo scurried away, grateful for his life.

Days turned into weeks. One evening, as the sun melted into the horizon and painted the sky with orange and red, Simba wandered too far into the hunter’s lands. Hidden beneath the grass, a cruel trap lay waiting. With a snap, ropes flew up and tangled around him, pulling him tight. Simba roared and struggled with all his mighty strength, but the ropes held firm.

The more he fought, the tighter the ropes became. Exhausted and frightened, Simba slumped to the ground. For the first time, the king of the savanna felt helpless.

Through the darkness crept a small, familiar figure. It was Momo.

“Hold still, great Lion,” the mouse said quietly.

With his sharp little teeth, Momo gnawed at the ropes. Bit by bit, fiber by fiber, he chewed through them. It took time, but at last, the final rope snapped. Simba stood up, shaken but free.

“You kept your promise,” Simba said softly. “I never imagined such a small creature could do such a great thing.”

Momo smiled. “Even the smallest can make a big difference, especially when they act with kindness.”

From that day forward, Simba and Momo became unlikely friends. Simba protected the tiny creatures of the savanna, remembering that even the weak have their strengths. And Momo became a legend among the mice, the little one who had freed the king.

The story spread across the land — from the birds in the sky to the beetles in the dirt — teaching all who heard it that kindness given is kindness returned.

Because kindness, like courage, travels in circles.