The Lion and the Mouse

英语自学网

The Lion and the Mouse
        Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up
        and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge
        paw upon him, and 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 but what I may be able to do you a turn
        some of these days?"  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 waggon to carry him on.  Just
        then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad
        plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away
        the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts.  "Was I not right?"
        said the little Mouse.
       
        Little friends may prove great friends.