Once, when a lion was asleep, a little mouse began running up and down upon him, this soon awakened the lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O king," cried the little mouse. "Forgive me this time, I shall never forget it. Who knows I can be of any help for you someday."
     The lion was so tickled at the idea of the mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.
     Some time after, the lion was caught in a trap and the hunters, who desired to carry him alive to the king, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on.
     Just then the little mouse happened to pass by and see the sad plight where the lion was. He went up to the lion and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the king of the beasts. "Wasn't I right?" said the little mouse.