The loin and the Mouse

**The Lion and the Mouse**

Once upon a time, in the vast golden savannah of Africa, there lived a mighty lion named Simba. He was the king of the jungle, feared and respected by all animals. His roar could shake the earth, and his strength was unmatched. Every creature bowed before him, knowing that crossing his path could mean disaster.

One hot afternoon, after a large meal, Simba lay beneath the shade of a baobab tree, dozing off. His massive paws twitched as he dreamed of ruling his kingdom forever. Nearby, a tiny mouse named Milo scurried through the grass, searching for food. Milo was quick-witted and always curious, often getting himself into trouble because of his adventurous spirit.

As he sniffed around, Milo didn’t notice the sleeping lion until it was too late. He accidentally tripped over Simba’s paw, waking the great beast with a start.

**"ROAR!"** Simba’s mighty voice thundered as he pinned the tiny mouse beneath his giant claw. "How dare you disturb my rest, little pest?" His golden eyes burned with anger.

Milo trembled but gathered his courage. "Please, mighty king, forgive me! I did not mean to wake you. I was just looking for food. Spare my life, and one day, I promise I will repay your kindness!"

Simba threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing across the plains. "You? Repay me? A tiny creature like you could never help the king of the jungle!" Still, the lion was in a good mood after his nap, so he lifted his paw. "Go, little mouse. But be more careful next time."

Grateful, Milo bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty! You won’t regret your mercy!" And with that, he dashed away into the tall grass.

### **The Lion’s Trouble**

Weeks passed, and Simba continued his reign, hunting and patrolling his territory. One day, while wandering near the edge of the jungle, he heard a strange sound—a hunter’s trap! Before he could react, a thick net fell upon him, tangling his limbs. He roared and thrashed, but the ropes were strong, woven by human hands.

The more he struggled, the tighter the net became. Soon, he was completely trapped. Nearby, hunters cheered, knowing they had captured the mighty lion. "We’ll sell him to the circus!" one said.

Simba’s heart pounded with fear. For the first time in his life, he felt helpless. He let out a sorrowful roar, calling for help—but who would dare challenge the hunters?

### **The Mouse’s Promise**

Milo, who had been gathering seeds nearby, heard the lion’s cry. He recognized Simba’s voice and remembered his promise. Without hesitation, he raced toward the sound, his tiny legs moving as fast as they could.

When he arrived, he saw the trapped lion, struggling in the net. The hunters were preparing to load him onto a cart. Milo knew he had to act fast.

"Don’t worry, King Simba! I’ll help you!" he squeaked.

Simba’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Milo? But you’re so small! How can you—"

Before he could finish, the little mouse scurried up the net and began gnawing at the ropes with his sharp teeth. Snap! One strand broke. Then another. The hunters, busy discussing their prize, didn’t notice the tiny nibbles weakening the net.

Finally, with one last bite, the ropes gave way. Simba burst free with a mighty roar, sending the hunters fleeing in terror.

### **Gratitude and Friendship**

Breathing heavily, Simba turned to Milo, who stood proudly on a rock. "You… you saved me," the lion said in awe. "I was wrong to doubt you, little friend."

Milo smiled. "A promise is a promise, Your Majesty. Even the smallest creatures can be of great help."

From that day on, Simba and Milo became the unlikeliest of friends. The lion no longer underestimated the smaller animals, and the mouse became a hero in the jungle. The other creatures learned a valuable lesson: **Kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted.**

And so, the mighty lion and the tiny mouse proved that true strength lies not in size or power, but in loyalty and courage.

**The End.**