A Lion having laid down to take his repose under the spreading boughs
of a shady tree, a company of Mice scampered 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, begging him not to stain his noble character with the blood
of so small and insignificant a creature. The Lion, touched with
compassion, instantly released his little trembling captive. Not long
after, traversing the forest in search of his prey, he chanced to run
into the toils of the hunters, and not being able to disengage himself,
he set up a loud roar. The Mouse hearing the voice, and knowing it to
be the Lion’s, immediately repaired to the place, and bade him fear
nothing, for that he was his friend. Instantly he fell to work, and
with his little sharp teeth gnawed asunder the knots and fastenings of
the toils, and set the royal brute at liberty.