[Illustration: THE LION AND THE MOUSE.]
A Lion, faint with heat, and weary with hunting, was laid 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 suppliant
implored his mercy in a very moving manner, begging him not to slain 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,
traversing the forest in pursuit of his prey, he chanced to run into
the toils of the hunters; from whence, not able to disengage himself,
he set up a most hideous and loud roar. The Mouse, hearing the 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 little sharp teeth, gnawing asunder the knots and
fastenings of the toils, set the royal brute at liberty.