The Lion and the Mouse

 Author: Aesop

Once upon a time in the vast jungle, the king of the animals, a mighty lion, was taking a nap under the warm sun. Little did he know, a mischievous mouse was scampering around nearby.

Curiosity got the better of the tiny creature, and it couldn't resist climbing on the lion's massive mane. Its tiny paws irritated the lion's sensitive skin, forcing its eyes to pop wide.

                "What is this disturbance?" The lion roared, his eyes narrowing in anger.

                "Pardon, O King!" squeaked the mouse in terror. "I meant no harm. Please forgive                     my intrusion."

The lion's anger grew, and he swiftly captured the mouse under his enormous paw. He extended his mouth wide, ready to swallow it.

    "Not so fast, O King!" the mouse begged desperately. "I promise I will never bother         you again,  and one day, I may be able to repay your kindness."

Intrigued by the mouse's audacity, the lion hesitated. His curiosity piqued, he lowered his paw and released the trembling mouse.

Time passed, and fate had its way. The lion found himself ensnared by a group of hunters who cruelly bound him to a sturdy tree. Desperate to escape, he thrashed and roared, hoping someone would come to his aid.

To his surprise, the little mouse happened to stumble upon the lion's dire predicament. Without hesitation, the mouse scurried up to the struggling lion and began gnawing away at the ropes that had him trapped.

     "Was I not right, O King?" As the last rope snapped, the mouse exclaimed proudly,         "Small acts of kindness never go unnoticed."

Grateful beyond words, the lion turned to the mouse. "You, my little friend, have saved me from certain doom." My gratitude knows no bounds."

With newfound respect, the lion and the mouse vowed to protect one another in the jungle. And from that day forward, all creatures witnessed the true power of even the smallest acts of kindness.

Moral: Even small deeds never go unrewarded.