The Lion and the Mouse
An Aesop Fable retold by: Holly Gustafson
Once upon a time, there was a lion asleep in his den. A mischevious little mouse ran up his tail and onto his back. The little mouse ran up and danced in his mane. Then the little mouse jumped on the sleeping lion's head. Just then the sleeping lion awoke with a start.
The lion grabbed the mouse with his paws and held him in his large claws. The lion roared in anger at the mouse "How dare you wake me! I am the King of all the beasts! Didn't you know that? You and anyone else who disturbs my peace deserves to die! I shall kill you then eat you!"
The mouse was terrified! He was shaking and trembling. The little mouse begged the lion to let him go. "Please, please! Don't eat me Your Majesty! I didn't mean to wake you. It was a HUGE mistake. I was only having fun and playing. Please Your Majesty, let me go! If you let me go I promise I'll be your friend for ever. One day I could even save your life. friend forever. Who knows but one day I could save your life?
The lion looked at the tiny mouse for a minute. Then he let out a loud laugh. "You save my life? What a crazy idea!" He said scornfully. "But you have made me laugh and put me in a good modd, so I will let you go" The lion opened his claws and let the mouse go.
'Oh thank you, your majesty!' squeaked the mouse. Then he scurried away as fast as he could.
A few days later the lion was caught in a hunter's trap. As hard as he tried, he couldn't break free. In fact the harder the lion struggled he became more tangled in the net of ropes. The lion let out a giant roar of anger that shook the entire forest. Every animal in the forest heard it, including the little mouse.
'My friend the lion is in trouble,' yelled the little mouse. He ran as fast as his little legs would carry him in the direction of the lions roar. The little lion soon found the his friend the lion trapped in the hunters trap. "Hold still your Majesty" the little mouse squeaked. "I'll have you out in minute" And without another thougth the little mouse began to nibble through the ropes with his very sharp teeth. Not long after, the lion was free
'I did not believe that you could be of any help to me, little mouse, but today you saved my life,' said the lion humbly.
'It was my turn to help you, Your Majesty,' answered the mouse.
Even the weak and small may be of help to those much bigger and mightier than themselves.
Image URL's for the story
Lion and Mouse on Tiltle page and Last page http://yogainmyschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/lionmouse.jpg
Lion with Mouse on his nose: http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens18398406module152686043photo_1315075759Lion__Mouse.jpg
Lion holding Mouse: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oSA3I3zPaA0/TUp1hLEz0QI/AAAAAAAAABc/dzdGV-Lf3Xc/s1600/The+Lion+and+the+Mouse%25281%2529.JPG
Lion letting Mouse go: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/bookresources/12/12724/46435_1.jpg
Lion Trapped: http://www.longlongtimeago.com/images/llta_lion_angry_net.gif
Mouse freeing Lion: http://www.web-esl.com/advreadings/lion_mouse.jpg
Mouse and Lion friends: http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.192558621.jpg
