The Lion and the Mouse

In a certain forest there lived a mighty Lion, whose roar shook the very earth and whose mane was as golden as the sun. One day, as he rested beneath the shade of a great oak tree, a tiny Mouse, scurrying hither and thither in search of grain, accidentally ran across the Lion's face. Startled from his slumber, the great beast awoke in fury and seized the tiny creature in his mighty paw. The Mouse, trembling with terror, cried out in a voice high and pleading: "Great Lion, I beg your mercy! I am but a small and insignificant creature, too little to provide any nourishment for a beast of your magnificence. I ran upon your face by accident and not from any intention to disturb your rest. If you will but spare my life, I swear upon my tiny existence that I shall repay your kindness should ever the occasion arise." The Lion, amused by the Mouse's words and the absurdity of this tiny creature's promise of future service, laughed with a sound like thunder. Yet his amusement turned to clemency, for he considered the insignificance of the Mouse's life compared to his own power, and how little cost it would be to show mercy. He released the creature unharmed, for a truly mighty soul possesses the strength to be generous even to the helpless. Many weeks passed. The Lion, while hunting in the forest, became ensnared in a great net that had been set by hunters. He struggled and roared, but the cords held fast. The Mouse, hearing the terrible sound of the Lion's distress, came running with all speed. Remembering the clemency shown to him, the Mouse set to work with his small teeth, gnawing through the cords of the net, strand by strand. At last the bonds parted, and the mighty Lion was freed. With grateful heart, the Lion understood that clemency shown to another, regardless of their station, may be repaid a hundredfold when fortune changes.