James Baldwin

The Mouse and the Lion

A lion one day put his paw upon a Mouse who was picking up some crumbs that he had dropped.

"Oh, please, sir, don't kill me!" cried the little animal. "If you will only spare my life, I will do as much for you some time."

The Lion smiled, and let him go.

Not long after that some hunters spread a net in the woods in such a way that the Lion ran into it and could not get out. The more he struggled and tried to free himself the closer were the strong cords drawn around him. He knew that if he stayed there till morning the hunters would find him and kill him.

The Mouse heard him roar and ran to his aid.

"Lie still a while and I will help you," he said.

Then he set to work with his sharp teeth and soon gnawed the net in pieces.

"You laughed at me once," he said, "as if you thought I was too little to do you a good turn. But have I not done as I promised?"