The Lion and the Mouse

The great lion loved to sleep. He slept in the morning and he napped through the afternoon. His golden mane lay across the savannah grass and the forest was quiet. But one little mouse was not quiet at all. That mouse had just stolen a piece of bread to feed his hungry family. He was so happy that he whistled, skipped and even twirled his tail as he walked. Without noticing, the mouse marched right across the lion’s bed. He climbed up the lion’s thick mane and even danced on top of his head. The lion woke with a mighty roar. The ground shook and birds flew from the trees. The little mouse froze in fear. The lion’s giant paw swooped down and grabbed him. The lion lifted the mouse up to his eye.

“You tiny creature!” roared the lion.

“You woke me from my dreams. Give me one good reason why I should not eat you.”

The mouse’s voice became shaky.

“I’m so sorry, mighty lion. I didn’t mean to wake you. I didn’t see you lying here. You are much slimmer than I expected… and very handsome too!”

The lion frowned. “Do you think flattery will save you? My stomach is growling and a snack would do me good.”

The mouse squeaked quickly.

“Please don’t eat me! I promise I can be useful. If you let me go, one day I will help you. Even the smallest creature can be a friend.”

The lion blinked. Then he threw back his head and laughed.

“Can a mouse help me? That is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!”

He laughed so hard that tears rolled down his face. Finally, he set the mouse on the ground.

“You’re far too small to ever help me,” said the lion. “But you’ve made me laugh, so I’ll let you go.”

The mouse bowed low.

“You won’t regret this, kind lion! One day you will see.”

And with that, he fled away into the grass. That evening, the mouse told his wife and children the story.

“The lion spared me!” he said proudly. “He and I are friends now.”

His little daughters squeaked with delight. His wife sighed with relief. The mouse told everyone he met about his new friend. He bragged to the hippos. He whispered to the caterpillars.

“Me and the lion are close friends,” he said. “He calls me every day!”

Some animals believed him. Others laughed. But the mouse didn’t mind. Weeks passed and the lion forgot all about the tiny mouse. Until one fateful day. The lion went hunting in the forest. He stepped into a trap left by hunters. Thick ropes sprang up and tangled around his legs. The harder he pulled, the tighter the ropes became. The lion roared in anger and fear. His voice echoed across the forest. Every animal heard it but none dared to come close. All except one. The little mouse stopped in his tracks.

“That roar… I know that roar,” he said.

He dashed through the grass until he found the lion, trapped and helpless.

The lion groaned. “I’m caught, little one. I cannot break the ropes. I’ll never be free.”

The mouse stood tall, as tall as a mouse could.

“No friend of mine will stay stuck in a trap,” he declared.

Without wasting another moment, he began to gnaw the ropes. His tiny teeth bit, chewed and tore. The ropes were thick but the mouse was determined. Bit by bit, the ropes loosened. Finally—SNAP! The last rope broke and the lion was free. The lion shook himself and looked at the mouse in amazement.

“You saved my life,” he said softly. “I never believed you could help me. But you did.”

The mouse smiled. “I told you, mighty lion. Even small acts of kindness matter. No gift of friendship is ever wasted.”

From that day forward, the lion and the mouse were true friends. The mouse and his family often visited the lion’s den. The lion never forgot the lesson: Strength may be great but kindness is greater. And even the smallest friend can make the biggest difference.

I hope this bedtime story brought joy in your home.

Lots of love,

Dr. Ruguru Kimani.