The Mighty Lion and the Brave Little Mice

The Story

In the heart of a vast forest where the trees touched the skies and the rivers sang as they flowed, lived a lion named Rudra. Rudra was no ordinary lion—he was the king of the forest. His mane shone like gold under the sun, his roar shook the valleys, and his strength was unmatched. Every creature in the forest respected him, not only because of his power but also because of his sense of justice.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Rudra was not cruel. He hunted only when hungry, protected the forest from intruders, and kept balance among the animals. Yet, being the king of the jungle often meant living in solitude. Other animals, too afraid to approach him, only bowed from afar.

Not far from the lion’s den, in a hollowed tree trunk, lived a colony of mice. Tiny creatures they were—squeaky, fragile, and easily frightened. They spent their days gathering grains, nibbling seeds, and scampering across the forest floor. To them, the lion was both a terror and a marvel. His roar would send them diving into their holes, but they also admired his majestic presence from a safe distance.

Among these mice lived a particularly curious one named Chintu. Unlike the other mice, who lived cautiously, Chintu was bold and often dreamed of doing something heroic. His friends laughed at him when he said, “Even the smallest creature can make a big difference someday.” But deep inside, Chintu believed it.

The First Meeting

One hot afternoon, after a heavy meal, Rudra lay down under the shade of a great banyan tree. His golden body stretched lazily on the grass, and soon his heavy eyelids closed in slumber. His deep breathing echoed like the rumble of distant thunder.

By chance, Chintu and his friends were playing nearby. They ran in circles, chasing one another, until Chintu, in his excitement, darted across the lion’s paw. Before he realized it, he had run straight onto Rudra’s massive body.

The other mice squeaked in horror. “Chintu! Get off! That’s the king! He’ll eat you alive!”

But it was too late. Rudra’s eyes flicked open. His massive paw slammed down, trapping Chintu underneath. The little mouse trembled, his whiskers quivering, his tiny heart beating so fast it might burst.

“Who dares disturb my sleep?” Rudra’s deep voice rumbled like thunder.

“I–I’m sorry, great king,” Chintu squeaked. “I didn’t mean to! It was an accident. Please… spare my life!”

Rudra lifted the trembling mouse closer to his face. His hot breath blew Chintu’s fur back. The lion’s jaws opened, revealing sharp teeth that could end the mouse’s life in an instant.

But then Rudra paused. Something about the mouse’s courage—the way he pleaded without fainting, the way his eyes held both fear and hope—amused the lion.

“You are such a tiny thing,” Rudra chuckled. “What good would it do me to eat you? Run along, little one. But remember, not every lion will be as merciful.”

Chintu’s heart leapt with relief. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, great Rudra. I promise, one day I will repay your kindness.”

The lion laughed loudly, shaking the leaves of the banyan tree. “You? Repay me? What could a mouse possibly do for a lion? You are as small as a grain of rice!”

“Still,” Chintu squeaked bravely, “a promise is a promise.”

With that, Rudra let him go. The mouse scurried back to his friends, who were shocked that he was alive. From that day, Chintu admired Rudra even more.

Trouble in the Forest

Seasons passed. The forest bloomed in spring, endured summer’s heat, and welcomed monsoon rains. Life went on as usual.

But beyond the forest, men had entered with weapons and traps. They were poachers, greedy hunters who wanted to capture the lion for profit. They set up iron cages hidden among the tall grasses, baiting them with meat.

One morning, as Rudra went on his patrol, he caught the scent of fresh meat. Suspicious but hungry, he followed it. Before he realized, his powerful legs stepped into a trap.

Clang!

The heavy iron bars slammed shut around him. Rudra roared in fury, shaking the cage with all his strength, but the metal was too strong, too cunningly designed by men. His roars echoed across the forest, sending birds flying and animals scattering.

For the first time, Rudra felt helpless. No matter how hard he clawed or bit, the iron cage held firm. He roared until his throat ached, but the hunters were not nearby—they planned to return later to collect their prize.

The Mouse’s Promise

Far away, in their hollow tree, the mice heard the thunderous roar. They recognized it at once—it was Rudra, the lion who had once spared Chintu’s life.

Chintu’s ears perked up. “Something’s wrong. The king is in trouble!”

The other mice tried to stop him. “Don’t be foolish, Chintu! That’s a lion’s problem, not ours. What can we possibly do?”

But Chintu stood firm. “I made a promise. He spared my life, and now it’s my turn to help him.”

Before anyone could argue further, Chintu darted through the grass toward the sound. When he arrived, he froze in awe. Rudra, the mighty lion, was trapped inside an iron cage. His golden body paced restlessly, his claws scraped against the bars, but he could not escape.

Chintu squeaked loudly, “Great king! Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

Rudra looked down and recognized the tiny mouse. He almost laughed despite his despair. “You again? Chintu, this is no place for you. Run, before the hunters return.”

But Chintu shook his head. “No. You once told me I was too small to help you. Now I will prove otherwise. Just trust me.”

Before Rudra could argue, Chintu climbed onto the cage and began gnawing at the thick ropes tied around its hinges. His sharp teeth worked tirelessly, biting, cutting, tearing. It was exhausting, but Chintu did not stop.

Other mice, inspired by his bravery, soon joined. Dozens of them swarmed the cage, chewing at the ropes and knots. Hours passed, and slowly, the ropes weakened. Finally, with one last bite, the knots gave way. The iron door swung open.

Rudra stepped out, free once more. He shook his mane proudly and let out a roar so loud it shook the ground.

The mice squeaked in triumph, scattering in joy. Chintu stood proudly before Rudra. “See, great king? Even the smallest creature can help the mightiest.”

Rudra bent low, his golden eyes soft with gratitude. “You have taught me a lesson I will never forget, little friend. From this day forth, you and your kin will live under my protection. No harm shall ever come to you in this forest.

The Bond of Friendship

News of the lion’s escape spread quickly. When the hunters returned, they found their trap empty, their prize gone. Terrified by Rudra’s roar, they fled the forest, never to return.

Meanwhile, the bond between the lion and the mice grew stronger. Rudra often visited their hollow tree, speaking with Chintu, learning about the tiny creatures’ world. In return, the mice helped Rudra in small but meaningful ways—warning him of approaching dangers, guiding him through hidden paths, and sometimes even sharing their stored food during hard times.

The forest animals marveled at this unlikely friendship. They learned that strength was not just about size or power—it was also about compassion, trust, and respect for even the smallest beings.

And so, under Rudra’s reign, the forest flourished. The lion and the mouse became symbols of unity and balance, reminding every creature that no one is too small to make a difference.



Moral of the Story

The story of the lion and the mice teaches us that:

1. Kindness is never wasted. Even the smallest act of mercy can return to us in unexpected ways.

2. Size does not define strength. Bravery, determination, and loyalty matter more than physical power.

3. True friendship knows no boundaries. Respect and trust can bridge the gap between the mighty and the meek.