The Lion and the Mouse
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
Featured in the Book Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, a mighty lion was napping under the warm sun.
He stretched out beneath the shade of a tall tree, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
Nearby, a little mouse was scurrying through the grass, looking for food.
She wasn’t watching where she was going and accidentally ran across the lion’s nose.
The lion twitched in his sleep, then suddenly woke up with a loud snort.
Annoyed, the lion swiped his paw and caught the tiny mouse.
He held her firmly under his huge paw and opened his mouth wide.
The little mouse trembled with fear.
“Please don’t eat me!” she squeaked.
“If you let me go, I promise I’ll help you one day.”
The lion looked at the tiny creature and laughed. “You? Help me?
What could someone as small as you do for a great lion like me?”
But he was in a good mood, so he lifted his paw and let the mouse go.
The mouse rushed into the tall grass, calling out, “Thank you, mighty lion!
I won’t forget this!”
A few days later, the lion was walking through the forest when he stepped into a trap set by hunters.
A heavy net fell over him, tangling his legs and body.
No matter how hard he roared or struggled, he couldn’t break free.
Hearing the lion’s loud roars, the little mouse remembered her promise and ran toward the sound.
She spotted the lion trapped under the thick ropes and quickly climbed onto the net.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you!” she said.
She used her sharp teeth to gnaw at the ropes, biting and chewing as fast as she could.
She worked and worked until, finally, the ropes snapped.
The lion gave a mighty shake and stepped out of the broken net.
He looked down at the little mouse in surprise and gratitude.
“Thank you, my little friend,” the lion said.
“You have saved my life.”
The mouse smiled.
“Even a tiny mouse can help a mighty lion.”
From that day on, the lion and the mouse became good friends and lived happily in the forest.
في يوم من الأيام، في غابة خضراء كبيرة، كان هناك أسد ضخم يحب أن ينام تحت أشعة الشمس الدافئة. في أحد الأيام، اصطدم فأر صغير بالخطأ فوق أنف الأسد وأيقظه من نومه. غضب الأسد وأمسك بالفأر بمخالبه الكبيرة.
كان الفأر الصغير خائفًا جدًا وقال للأسد: "أرجوك لا تأكلني! إذا تركتني أذهب، أعدك أني سأساعدك يومًا ما." لم يستطع الأسد إلا أن يضحك. "كيف يمكن لشخص صغير مثلك أن يساعدني؟" فكر الأسد. لكنه كان يشعر بالطيبة وترك الفأر يذهب على أي حال.
لم يمض وقت طويل حتى وقع الأسد في فخ. كان صياد قد نصب شبكة، وعلق الأسد فيها. حاول أن يزأر ويكسر الشبكة، لكنه لم يستطع. سمع الفأر الصغير زئير الأسد وتذكر وعده. فركض بسرعة نحو الأسد وبدأ يقضم الحبال بأسنانه الحادة الصغيرة. في وقت قصير، أصبح الأسد حرًا.
نظر الأسد إلى الفأر وشعر بالامتنان الشديد.
Es war einmal in einem großen, grünen Dschungel ein riesiger Löwe, der es liebte, unter der warmen Sonne zu schlafen. Eines Tages rannte ein kleines Mäuschen aus Versehen direkt über die Nase des Löwen und weckte ihn auf. Der Löwe war gar nicht erfreut und fing das Mäuschen mit seiner großen Pfote.
Das kleine Mäuschen hatte große Angst und sagte zum Löwen: "Bitte iss mich nicht! Wenn du mich gehen lässt, verspreche ich, dir eines Tages zu helfen." Der Löwe konnte nicht anders, als zu lachen. "Wie könnte jemand, der so klein ist wie du, mir jemals helfen?" dachte er. Aber er war gut gelaunt und ließ das Mäuschen trotzdem frei.
Nicht lange danach geriet der Löwe in eine Falle. Ein Jäger hatte ein Netz aufgestellt, mit dem er den Löwen fangen konnte. Er versuchte zu brüllen und sich zu befreien, aber es gelang ihm nicht. Das kleine Mäuschen hörte das Brüllen des Löwen und erinnerte sich an ihr Versprechen. Sie lief schnell zum Löwen und begann, mit ihren kleinen, scharfen Zähnen an den Seilen zu nagen. Im Handumdrehen war der Löwe frei.
Der Löwe schaute das Mäuschen an und fühlte sich sehr dankbar.
एक समय की बात है, एक बड़े और हरे-भरे जंगल में एक विशाल शेर रहता था। शेर को धूप में सोना बहुत पसंद था। एक दिन, एक छोटा चूहा खेलते-खेलते गलती से शेर की नाक के ऊपर से दौड़ गया। शेर जाग गया और क्रोधित हो गया। उसने अपने विशाल पंजे से चूहे को दबोच लिया।
छोटा चूहा बहुत डर गया, और बोला, "मुझे मत खाओ! अगर तुम मुझे छोड़ दोगे, तो मैं किसी दिन तुम्हारी मदद करूंगा।" शेर यह सुनकर हंस पड़ा। "तुम इतने छोटे हो, भला तुम मेरी मदद कैसे कर सकते हो?" शेर ने सोचा। लेकिन उस दिन उसका हृदय दयावान था, इसलिए उसने चूहे को जाने दिया।
कुछ ही देर बाद, शेर एक जाल में फंस गया। शिकारी ने एक बड़ा जाल लगाया था, जिसमें शेर बुरी तरह से फंस गया था। शेर जोर-जोर से दहाड़ा और उसने जाल से निकलने का खूब प्रयास किया, पर वह जाल से नहीं निकल पाया। तभी उस छोटे चूहे ने शेर की दहाड़ सुनी और उसे अपना किया हुआ वादा याद आया। वह जल्दी से दौड़ता हुआ आया और अपने नुकीले दाँतों से जाल की रस्सियों को काटने लगा। थोड़ी ही देर में शेर मुक्त हो गया।
शेर ने चूहे को देखा और आभार व्यक्त किया।
Det var en gång i en stor, grön djungel. Där fanns det ett jättestort lejon som älskade att sova i det varma solskenet. En dag råkade en liten mus springa rakt över hans nos och väcka honom. Lejonet blev missnöjt och fångade musen med sin stora tass.
Den lilla musen blev väldigt rädd och sa till lejonet: "Snälla, ät inte upp mig! Om du släpper mig fri, lovar jag att jag ska hjälpa dig en vacker dag." Lejonet kunde inte låta bli att skratta. "Hur skulle någon så liten som du kunna hjälpa mig?" tänkte han. Men han var på gott humör och släppte iväg musen ändå.
Inte långt efter det fastnade lejonet i en fälla. En jägare hade satt upp ett nät, och lejonet fastnade. Han försökte ryta och slita sig loss, men det gick inte. Den lilla musen hörde lejonets vrål och kom ihåg sitt löfte. Han sprang snabbt fram till lejonet och började gnaga igenom repen med sina små sylvassa tänder. Och vips var lejonet fritt.
Lejonet tittade på musen och kände sig väldigt tacksam.
在很久很久以前，在一片翠绿的大森林里，住着一只喜欢在温暖阳光下睡觉的大狮子。一天，一只小老鼠不小心跑过狮子的鼻子，把狮子吵醒了。狮子非常生气，用他的大爪子抓住了小老鼠。
小老鼠非常害怕，对狮子说：“请不要吃我！如果你放了我，我保证将来一定会帮助你。”狮子忍不住笑了，“你这么小，怎么可能帮到我呢？”他心里想。但狮子心情很好，还是把小老鼠放走了。
没过多久，狮子被困住了。一个猎人设了陷阱，狮子被网住了。他试着咆哮想要挣脱，却怎么也挣脱不了。小老鼠听到了狮子的咆哮声，想起了自己的承诺。它赶紧跑到狮子那里，用又小又锋利的牙齿咬断了绳子。不一会儿，狮子就重获自由了。
狮子看着小老鼠，心中充满了感激之情。
Kwathi kwathi ngaminazana ithile, ingonyama yayisethe ngqwa ngaphantsi kwelanga elifudumeleyo. Yazolula ngaphantsi komthunzi womthi omde, isonwabele injikalanga.
Kufuphi kukho impukwana evunguza engceni, ikhangela ukutya ingajonganga nokuba iyaphi, yasuka yagilana nempumlo yengonyama ngempazamo. Ingonyama yothuka ebuthongweni bayo, yavuka ngodlwabevu lomrhono.
Idikiwe, yavela yaganga impukwana ngonyawo yayibamba nkqi ngonyawo, ye-nka umlomo.
Yangcangcazela impuku kukoyika yankwiniza isithi, "Ndicela ungandityi! ukuba undiyekile, ndiyathembisa ukuba ndiya kuze ndikuncede ngenye imini."
Ingonyama yayijonga impuku, yahleka. "Wena? Uncede mna? Into encinci nje ngawe ingaze iyincede ngantoni ingonyama enamandla nje ngam?" Kwathi kanti ingonyama isemdleni, yaphakamisa unyawo yayiyeka impuku yaphuncuka.
Yakhawuleza yatsibela emthini omde impuku seyibulela "Ndiyabulela ngonyama enamandla, asoze ndiyilibale into ondenzele yona."
Emveni kwentsuku ezimbalwa, yathI ingonyama isahamba ehlathini yexhakamfu kumgibe wabazingeli, kwawa umnatha osindayo wayigquma ingonyama, yabhijeleka imilenze nomzimba. Yanga gragrama, ipitsholoza izama ukuphuma, kwabe kungenzeki.
Impukwana yathi isiva isikhalo somgragramo, yatsho yakhumbula isithembiso sayo yaleqa nganeno kwesikhalo. Ye-ntla ngengonyama ibhijeleke kwintambo ezomeleleyo yakhawuleza yanyuka kumnatha.
"Sukubanaxhala ndizokunceda!" Yasebenzisa amazinyo wayo abukhali yanqunqa intambo, yathi iluma yabe intlantlatha msinyane. Yasebenza yasebenza yade yaqhawuka intambo.
Yazivuthulula ingonyama yaphuma emnatheni. Yajonga phantsi, ijonga impuku ngokungakholwayo nombulelo.
"Ndiyabulela,mhlobo omncinane,” yatsho ingonyama “Usindise ubomi bam".
Yancuma impuku. "Nempukwana encinci iyakwazi ukunceda ingonyama enamandla".
Ukusukela kuloo mini, ingonyama nempuku baba ngabahlobo abakhulu, baphila bonwabile ehlathini.
A lion is sleeping under a tree. A little mouse runs over the lion's nose. The lion wakes up and catches the mouse.
The mouse says, "Please, let me go. I will help you one day."
The lion laughs. "You are so small. How can you help me?" But the lion lets the mouse go.
One day, the lion is in a net. He cannot get out. The lion roars for help.
The mouse hears the lion. The mouse runs to the net. The mouse chews the net with his teeth. The lion is free.
The lion says, "Thank you, little mouse."
The mouse says, "You are welcome."
Once upon a time, a mighty lion was napping under the warm sun. He stretched out beneath the shade of a tall tree, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
Nearby, a little mouse was scurrying through the grass, looking for food. She wasn’t watching where she was going and accidentally ran across the lion’s nose. The lion twitched in his sleep, then suddenly woke up with a loud snort.
Annoyed, the lion swiped his paw and caught the tiny mouse. He held her firmly under his huge paw and opened his mouth wide.
The little mouse trembled with fear. “Please don’t eat me!” she squeaked. “If you let me go, I promise I’ll help you one day.”
The lion looked at the tiny creature and laughed. “You? Help me? What could someone as small as you do for a great lion like me?” But he was in a good mood, so he lifted his paw and let the mouse go.
The mouse rushed into the tall grass, calling out, “Thank you, mighty lion! I won’t forget this!”
A few days later, the lion was walking through the forest when he stepped into a trap set by hunters. A heavy net fell over him, tangling his legs and body. No matter how hard he roared or struggled, he couldn’t break free.
Hearing the lion’s loud roars, the little mouse remembered her promise and ran toward the sound. She spotted the lion trapped under the thick ropes and quickly climbed onto the net.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you!” she said. She used her sharp teeth to gnaw at the ropes, biting and chewing as fast as she could. She worked and worked until, finally, the ropes snapped.
The lion gave a mighty shake and stepped out of the broken net. He looked down at the little mouse in surprise and gratitude.
“Thank you, my little friend,” the lion said. “You have saved my life.”
The mouse smiled. “Even a tiny mouse can help a mighty lion.”
From that day on, the lion and the mouse became good friends and lived happily in the forest.
Once upon a time, in a dense jungle, a large lion lay asleep, breathing deeply. By chance, a tiny mouse ran across the lion's nose, waking him up. Startled and annoyed, the lion caught the mouse with his paw.
Terrified, the mouse begged the lion for mercy, promising to repay the lion's kindness in the future. The lion, amused by the idea of such a small creature helping him, laughed. Yet, he decided to release the mouse, doubting he would ever need the mouse's help.
After some time, the lion found himself trapped by hunters. He used all his strength, roaring loudly, but he couldn't escape. The mouse, hearing the lion's roar, hurried to help. With quick movements, the mouse chewed through the ropes holding the lion.
Thanks to the mouse's efforts, the lion was freed from the trap. The lion looked at the mouse, feeling amazed and grateful, realizing the truth in the mouse's promise.
Once upon a time, in a jungle far, far away, a big lion was snoring away like he'd just eaten a three-course meal. Which, let's be honest, he probably had.
As he was dreaming about his favorite dish - gourmet antelope with a side of zebra - a small mouse with a knack for adventure accidentally scampered across the lion's nose. Sneezing himself awake, the lion's eyes popped open, and he looked down at the mouse.
"What's this, then? Breakfast in bed?" the lion roared, grabbing the mouse in his paw.
"Oi, I'm not a snack, I'm a mouse with ambitions!" squeaked the mouse. "If you let me go, I'll repay the favor. Pinky promise!"
The lion couldn't help but chuckle. "A favor? From you? That's like asking a snail to win a footrace!"
"But I'm a mouse of my word," pleaded the mouse, doing his best to look earnest. "Give me a chance, and I'll show you I can be useful!"
The lion's curiosity got the better of him, and with a grand, theatrical sigh, he let the mouse go. "Alright, little comedian. Run along now. And don't forget the cream and sugar next time!"
Some time later, the lion found himself in a sticky situation, quite literally. Caught in a hunter's trap, he roared and thrashed, but to no avail. "Blasted ropes! They're tougher than a two-day-old meatloaf!"
Just then, the mouse, hearing the lion's cries, appeared like a miniature hero. "Never fear, Mighty Lion! Your pint-sized pal is here!"
The lion looked at the mouse, hope in his eyes. "Well, it's about time! I've been waiting here so long, I'm practically a tourist attraction!"
With quick wit and even quicker teeth, the mouse gnawed through the ropes, setting the lion free. The lion looked down at his tiny savior, a newfound respect in his eyes.
"You know, little friend, you've shown me that even the smallest creatures can be of great help. And not just because you've got that charming smile!"
The mouse beamed, puffing out his chest. "I told you I'm a mouse of my word! Now, about that breakfast in bed..."
They both laughed, and from that day on, they were the best of friends, proving that no matter how big or small, everyone has something special to offer.
In the heart of the jungle, grand and vast,
A lion slept soundly, his snoring quite fast.
Along came a mouse, quick on his feet,
Over the lion’s nose, causing a beat!
The lion awoke, with a roar and a frown,
Lifting the mouse, who felt quite let down.
"Please let me go," the mouse did plea,
"One day I'll help, just wait and see."
The lion chuckled, "How could that be?
But off you go, little mouse, I set you free."
Days flew by, the sun and the rain,
Until a trap caught the lion, causing him pain.
He roared and he struggled, to no avail,
While the tiny mouse heard his woeful wail.
With swift little nibbles and sharp little teeth,
The mouse freed the lion, a sigh of relief.
The lion, with gratitude, looked down and then,
He whispered, "Thank you, my tiniest friend."
For sometimes the smallest, with heart so vast,
Can save the mightiest from their troubles passed.
Word Finder
Sleeping
To rest with eyes closed.Catches
Takes and holds something quickly.Please
A polite way to ask something.Laughs
To make a happy sound.Small
Not big in size.Net
Material with holes to catch things.Roars
Makes a loud lion sound.Chews
Bites and breaks with teeth.Teeth
Hard parts in the mouth.Free
Not trapped or in a cage.
Mighty
Very strong and powerful.Napping
Sleeping for a short time during the day.Scurrying
Running quickly with small, fast steps.Trembled
Shook a little because of fear or cold.Squeaked
Made a short, high-pitched sound or noise.Mood
How someone feels, like happy or angry.Tangling
Twisting together into a messy or complicated state.Gnaw
Bite and chew something many times.Snapped
Broke suddenly with a sharp sound.Gratitude
Feeling thankful and happy for someone's help.
Dense
Very thick; tightly packed together.Startled
Surprised and slightly scared by something unexpected.Annoyed
Feeling irritated or bothered by someone or something.Terrified
Extremely scared or frightened.Mercy
Kindness shown to someone you could punish.Amused
Finding something funny or entertaining.Creature
A living being, especially an animal.Trapped
Caught in a situation you can't easily escape.Roaring
Making a very loud, deep sound.Grateful
Feeling thankful and appreciative of someone’s help.
Gourmet
Very fancy or high-quality food.Scampered
Ran or moved quickly and lightly.Ambitions
Big dreams or goals someone wants to achieve.Theatrical
Like a performance in a play; dramatic.Comedian
A person who makes people laugh.Avail
Use or benefit.Blasted
A mild exclamation to express frustration.Pint-sized
Very small.Savior
Someone who rescues or saves another.Newfound
Recently discovered or found.
Jungle
A dense forest with lots of trees and animals.Vast
Very big or wide.Snoring
The loud sound someone makes when they sleep.Frown
To make a sad or angry face by furrowing the brow.Plea
A serious request for help.Chuckled
Laughed quietly.Gratitude
Feeling thankful.Nibbles
Small bites.Mightiest
Very strong or powerful.Woeful
Very sad.
Understanding Questions
- Where is the lion sleeping?
- In a house.
- Under a tree.
- On a bed.
- In a cave.
- Where does the little mouse run over?
- The lion's back.
- The lion's nose.
- The lion's tail.
- The lion's paw.
- What does the lion do when he wakes up?
- He runs away.
- He catches the mouse.
- He goes back to sleep.
- He eats the mouse.
- How does the mouse help the lion?
- He finds food for the lion.
- He chews the net.
- He sings a song.
- He calls for help.
- What does the lion say to the mouse at the end?
- "Please help me."
- "I am angry."
- "Thank you, little mouse."
- "Go away."
- Why did the lion wake up from his sleep?
- What did the mouse promise the lion in exchange for his freedom?
- How did the lion react when the mouse offered to help him in the future?
- What happened to the lion after he let the mouse go?
- How did the mouse manage to free the lion from the trap?
- What event caused the lion to wake up in the jungle?
- How did the lion initially react upon capturing the mouse?
- What did the mouse promise the lion in exchange for its release?
- What situation led the lion to need the mouse's help?
- How did the mouse manage to free the lion from the trap?
Reflection Questions
- Why did the lion let the mouse go instead of eating her?
- What did the mouse suggest to the lion?
- How did the mouse help the lion?
- Can you think of a time when you helped someone, even though they were bigger or older than you?
- How can you show kindness or help others, even if you think they may not be able to do much for you in return?
Fable Quotes
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
The magic of gratitude turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
Bravery is not measured by size, but by the strength of the heart.
Just One More Fable
- Resilience
- Perseverance
The Fox and the Sour Grapes
A fox fails to reach grapes and convinces himself they are sour, leaving hungry and disappointed.
- Pride
- Wisdom
The Bird and the Monkeys
A bird's advice to monkeys is met with hostility, leading to the destruction of its nest and suffering in the rain.
- Curiosity
- Perception
A Mountain in Labor
A majestic Mountain with strange noises drew crowds of curious people, but their long wait revealed a humble Mouse instead.
- Trickery
- Wisdom
The Fox and The Stork
A clever fox plays a trick on a stork at dinner. But when it’s the stork’s turn to serve food, who will outsmart whom?
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