Story
The Lion and Rat » Fable – Jean de la Fontaine (1621/1695)
Once, as a lion lay sleeping in his den, a naughty little mouse ran up his tail, and danced and jumped on his head so that the lion woke up. The lion grabbed the mouse and, holding him in his large claws, roared in anger. 'How dare you wake me up! Anyone who disturbs the rest of the King of the Beasts deserves to die!
The terrified mouse begged the lion: 'Please don't kill me Your Majesty! Please let me go. Who knows but one day I could save your life? The lion looked at the tiny mouse and laughed. 'You save my life? What an absurd idea!. 'But you have made me laugh, so I shall let you go.'
A few days later the lion was caught in a hunter's snare. He let out a roar of anger that shook the forest. Every animal heard it, including the tiny mouse. The mouse ran as fast as he could in the direction of the lion's roar, and soon found the lion trapped in the hunter's snare. 'Hold still, Your Majesty!’ And without further delay, the mouse began nibbling through the ropes with his sharp little teeth. Very soon the lion was free.
'I did not believe that you could be of use to me, little mouse, but today you saved my life,' said the lion humbly. 'It was my turn to help you, Sire,' answered the mouse.
Even the weak and small may be of help to those much mightier than themselves.
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