FABLE LXXIII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once upon a time. A big Lion lived in a forest. He was tired. He hunted all day. He felt sleepy. The Lion slept. He slept under a big tree.
A small Mouse ran by. The Mouse did not see the Lion. It ran over the Lion's back. The Lion woke up. He was not happy. He opened his big eyes. He looked at the Mouse.
The Lion was very angry. He put his big paw down. He caught the little Mouse. The Mouse was tiny. The Lion held it tight. He thought to hurt the Mouse. He wanted to punish it.
The Mouse was very scared. "Oh, please, big Lion!" said the Mouse. "Please let me go." "I am a small Mouse." "I can help you one day." "I will be your friend."
The Lion thought. The Mouse was tiny. The Lion felt kind. He opened his big paw. The Mouse ran away fast. The Mouse was very happy.
One day, the Lion walked. He walked in the forest. He did not see a net. He stepped into the net. The net held him tight. He was caught. He could not move. The Lion was scared. He tried to get out. He could not. He made a very loud roar. He roared for help.
The little Mouse heard the roar. It remembered the Lion. It ran to the sound. It ran fast. The Mouse saw the Lion. "Don't worry, big friend!" said the Mouse. The Mouse used its tiny teeth. It chewed the net. It chewed and chewed. Soon, the net broke. The Lion was free! The Lion was very happy. "Thank you, little friend!" he said. The Mouse was happy too. They were friends forever.
And so, the Lion learned that even a small friend can help a big friend. Everyone can help someone!
Original Story
FABLE LXXIII.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
A Lion, faint with heat and weary with hunting, was lying down to take his repose under the spreading boughs of a thick shady oak. It happened that while he slept, a company of scrambling mice ran over his back, and waked him; upon which, starting up, he clapped his paw upon one of them, and was just going to put it to death, when the little supplicant implored his mercy in a very moving manner, begging him not to stain his noble character with the blood of so despicable and small a beast.
The Lion, considering the matter, thought proper to do as he was desired, and immediately released his little trembling prisoner.
Not long after, while traversing the forest in pursuit of his prey, he chanced to run into the toils of the hunters, from whence, not being able to disengage himself, he set up a most hideous and loud roar.
The Mouse, hearing a voice, and knowing it to be the Lion's, immediately repaired to the place, and bid him fear nothing, for that he was his friend. Then straight he fell to work, and with his sharp little teeth gnawing asunder the knots and fastenings of the toils, set the royal brute at liberty.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
MORAL.
There is none so little, but that even the greatest may at some time or other stand in need of his assistance.
Story DNA
Moral
There is none so little, but that even the greatest may at some time or other stand in need of his assistance.
Plot Summary
A powerful lion, awakened by a tiny mouse, spares its life after the mouse pleads for mercy. Later, the lion becomes trapped in a hunter's net and roars for help. The same mouse, hearing the roar, comes to the lion's aid and gnaws through the net, freeing the mighty beast. The fable concludes with the moral that even the greatest may need the assistance of the smallest.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables are ancient forms of storytelling, often attributed to Aesop, used to convey moral lessons through animal characters.
Plot Beats (10)
- A powerful lion, tired from hunting, falls asleep under an oak tree.
- A group of scrambling mice run over the sleeping lion, waking him.
- The lion catches one mouse and prepares to kill it.
- The mouse begs for mercy, appealing to the lion's noble character.
- The lion, after considering, releases the mouse.
- Sometime later, the lion is caught in a hunter's net while traversing the forest.
- Unable to escape, the lion lets out a loud, hideous roar.
- The mouse hears the roar, recognizes it as the lion's, and goes to the sound.
- The mouse reassures the lion and begins to gnaw through the knots of the net with its sharp teeth.
- The mouse successfully frees the lion from the net.
Characters
The Lion
A large, powerful African lion, approximately 4 feet tall at the shoulder and 8 feet long from nose to tail. His body is muscular and well-built, indicative of a formidable hunter, but currently showing signs of fatigue from heat and exertion. His paws are broad and heavy, capable of easily pinning down smaller creatures.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: To rest and hunt for survival. Later, his motivation is to escape the hunters' snare.
Flaw: His immense size and strength make him vulnerable to traps designed to ensnare large animals. His pride could also be a weakness, though he overcomes it by accepting help from a smaller creature.
He learns humility and the value of even the smallest creature's assistance, realizing that power does not guarantee self-sufficiency.
Proud, initially quick to anger, merciful, and later desperate. He demonstrates a capacity for magnanimity by sparing the mouse, and a deep sense of frustration and fear when ensnared.
The Mouse
A very small, agile field mouse, approximately 3-4 inches long including its tail. Its body is slender and quick, covered in soft, light brown fur. Its paws are tiny but nimble, capable of quick movements and precise gnawing.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: Initially, to escape death. Later, to repay the lion's mercy and help a friend.
Flaw: Its small size makes it vulnerable to larger predators and easily overlooked.
It demonstrates that even the smallest and most seemingly insignificant creature can possess great courage and be instrumental in helping the powerful.
Fearful but quick-witted, persuasive, brave, and loyal. It demonstrates courage by approaching the trapped lion and diligence in freeing him.
Locations
Shady Oak Tree
A large, ancient oak tree with thick, spreading boughs providing dense shade from the intense heat. The ground beneath is likely soft earth or leaf litter.
Mood: Peaceful, sleepy, initially serene but quickly becomes tense
The Lion takes his repose and is awakened by mice, leading to the initial encounter with the Mouse.
Hunter's Snare in the Forest
A dense forest environment where hunters have set up strong, intricate nets or ropes (toils) to trap large animals. The ground is likely uneven, with undergrowth and trees.
Mood: Desperate, dangerous, tense, claustrophobic for the trapped lion
The Lion becomes trapped in the hunter's toils and is later freed by the Mouse.