The Lion and The Mouse

Once upon a time, in a big forest, there lived a mighty lion. He was the king of the forest and all the animals were afraid of him. He had a thick mane, sharp teeth, and a loud roar that echoed through the trees. All animals stayed away from him, except when they needed his help.

One hot afternoon, after eating a big meal, the lion lay down under a shady tree to rest. The wind was soft, the birds were singing, and soon, the lion fell fast asleep.

While the lion was sleeping, a tiny mouse came out of its hole. The mouse was small, with soft grey fur and shiny eyes. It was playing and running around happily, not knowing that the lion was sleeping nearby. As the mouse played, it ran up the lion’s body, thinking it was a big rock. It jumped and tumbled over the lion’s paws and chest.

Suddenly, the lion opened his eyes. He felt something tickle him. When he saw the mouse, he was very angry. With a loud roar, he trapped the mouse under his big paw.

"How dare you wake me up!" growled the lion. "I should eat you right now!"

The poor mouse was very scared. It shook with fear and said in a tiny voice, "Oh please, mighty lion, don’t eat me. I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just playing. If you let me go, I promise I will help you one day."

The lion laughed loudly. "You? Help me? You are so small! What can you ever do for me?"

The mouse replied, “Even small friends can be helpful. Please let me go.”

The lion looked at the tiny creature. He was amused by the mouse’s bravery. After thinking for a moment, the lion lifted his paw and let the mouse go.

“Run away, little one. You are lucky today,” the lion said with a smile.

The mouse ran off quickly and shouted, “Thank you, kind lion! I will never forget this.”

Many days passed. The lion forgot about the mouse and continued to rule the forest.

Then one day, hunters came into the forest. They set a big net to catch the lion. The lion walked into the trap and got caught. He roared loudly and struggled to get free, but the net was strong. He was stuck. His loud roars filled the forest. All the animals heard him, but no one came to help. They were too afraid of the hunters.

But the little mouse heard the lion’s roar. He remembered how the lion had once spared his life. So he ran quickly toward the sound.

When the mouse reached the lion, he saw the big net around him.

“Don’t worry, my friend,” said the mouse. “I will help you.”

The lion looked at the tiny mouse and said, “Be careful. This trap is too strong.”

The mouse nodded and started to bite the net with his sharp teeth. Slowly, bit by bit, he chewed through the ropes. It took time, but the mouse didn’t stop. Finally, the net broke, and the lion was free!

The lion stood up and looked at the mouse with great surprise and joy.

“You saved my life, little friend,” said the lion. “I didn’t believe you could help me, but you did. Thank you!”

The mouse smiled and said, “You were kind to me first. That’s what friends do — they help each other.”

From that day on, the lion and the mouse became best friends. The lion no longer looked down on smaller animals. He learned that even the smallest creature can be a true friend.

And the mouse? He was proud to have a big, brave friend who once ruled the forest with strength, but now ruled with kindness too.

Together, the lion and the mouse showed all the animals that friendship does not depend on size, strength, or power — it depends on care, respect, and helping each other in times of need.

And so, they lived happily in the forest, side by side — the mighty lion and the tiny mouse — forever friends.