Foreword:
This fable represents the dependence of all, and numbered 150 in the Perry Index (as 150. The Lion and the Mouse). Variants of this fable is also found in Egyptian illustrations towards the start of Common Era, and the Indian Panchatantra - as a mice and elephant. It was carried to China by Buddhist monks as mice and tiger, or other member of the cat family.
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A lion, once, lay asleep in the forest.
The lion had, with heat opressed, dozed off into a sound asleep with his great head resting upon his paws, and with the intention of some undisturbed rest.
At the same time, a timid little mouse came along in a playful mood.
She had come upon the lion unexpectedly.
Her initial fright and haste to get away fizzled away, when she realized that the lion was sound asleep and thus, had not noticed her presence.
Step by step, the mouse cautiously came near the lion. She looked at the lion from all sides, encircling him. And, already in a playful mood, the mouse played around.
This was the first and only time, when she had seen a lion from so close, and been so near to.
Now, the little mouse climbed on the lion's tail and jumped around.
Emboldened with her antics going unnoticed, due to the lion's deep slumber, she scrambled over him, and ascended his great back.
She ran up his back. gleefully ruffled through his great mane, and soon, reached the lion's forehead.
It was here, that she came upon another playful idea. And, already emboldened of her antics thus far, the little mouse started playfully sliding down the lion's nose.
But now, her latest antic suddenly awakened the lion!
The lion was surprised and taken aback, that a little mouse was sliding down his nose while he was asleep.
Roused from his sleep, and angered at being disturbed during his nap, the lion rose to lay his huge paw over the little mouse to catch the miscreant.
"Ha! I have you now!", he said, "Now, you can no longer bother me. It is very kind of you to arrange yourself for my lunch."
At once, the little mouse fell on her knees for mercy, "O Great lion, please don't eat me. I didn't intend to anger you. Please have mercy on me."
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But the lion would have none of it, and decided to eat her right away.
As he was about to put the tiny creature into his mouth, she made her last appeal for mercy, "Spare me! If you let me go, I will repay your debt, someday!"
He stopped, amused at the little mouse, as she continued, "There may come a day, when you shall need me, and I shall be able to do you a favour, in return."
This was the funniest thing that the lion had ever heard in his lifetime.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!", he laughed, "Imagine something as small as a mouse, helping me in my need!"
Laughing heartily, the lion showed mercy and let her go.
"Your joke of helping me has enlightened my mood", he said, "I am letting you go, but never bother me again."
And, the little mouse thanked profusely, "Thank you! Thank you!! I will never forget your kindness", and ran away.
Not long afterwards, the lion got trapped in a hunter's net, and struggled in vain with all his might to break free.
Failing to free himself, and knowing that he was outdone, he roared in anguish that could be heard throughout the forest.
No other animal dared to come to his rescue, when he saw the little mouse run to him, and start immediately to work on the net.
Surprised, he alerted, "Go now! Run away! You will get caught, too!"
"You laughed at me, when I said I might be able to help you someday", replied the mouse, "Now, I will show you what I can do, and that I have not forgotten your kindness towards me."
With her sharp teeth, the little mouse chewed at the net, and after some time, cut it open to set the lion free.
Astonished with her special ability, and indebted for his liberty, the lion regarded the little mouse as his closest friend and greatest ally for the rest of his life.
Moral:
Everyone has need of the other.
Or,
An act of kindness is never wasted.
Summary:
Once a lion was asleep. Seizing the moment, a mouse started playing, and running up and down on him. The lion was soon awakened, and caught hold of the mouse disturbing his sleep. When the lion was about to eat it, the mouse asked for forgiveness. The lion took pity on the mouse, and let him go. Soon afterwards, the lion got caught in a trap set by hunters. When the lion had lost hope, the mouse came to help and cut through the ropes to free him. Although the mouse was small, the lion appreciated his abilities, and they remained good friends.
