Once upon a time, a mighty lion - king of the forest - lay sleeping peacefully beneath a tall tree.
A small mouse happened to be playing nearby and accidentally ran right across the lion’s back.
The lion jolted awake and caught the mouse under his great paw.
“Little mouse,” the lion growled, “I shall eat you for dinner tonight!”
The mouse trembled with fear but bravely pleaded, “Please don’t eat me, Your Majesty! I am so tiny I wouldn’t even fill your stomach. If you let me go, I promise that one day I will repay your kindness.”
The lion let out a deep laugh. “How could a tiny mouse like you ever help me?” But out of kindness, he released the mouse.
Several days later, the lion was hunting through the forest when he stumbled into a hunter’s trap. Thick ropes coiled around him and held him fast. The lion roared for help with all his might.
The little mouse heard that familiar roar and came running at once. It began gnawing through the ropes - one, two, three - until at last every rope snapped free. The lion was released.
“Thank you, little mouse,” the lion bowed his great head humbly. “I never believed you could truly help me.”
The mouse smiled softly. “No one is too small to help, Your Majesty.”
Moral: Never look down on someone because they are small. A small act of kindness can return as a great reward.
