The Lion and the Mouse

Told in English, Telugu.

Once upon a time, in a big green forest, there lived a big lion. He had a big golden mane and a big loud roar. One warm afternoon, the lion ate his lunch, gave a big yawn, and lay down under a shady tree. Soon he was fast asleep. Snore... snore...

Nearby lived a tiny little mouse. She had a pink nose, round ears and a long thin tail. The mouse was in a hurry to get home. Scurry, scurry, scurry went her little feet. She did not look where she was going, and... oops! She ran right over the lion's nose!

The lion's nose tickled. Aaa... aaa... achoo! The lion woke up. He put out his big paw and gently held the little mouse by her tail. Not hard, just enough so she could not run away.

"Who woke me up?" grumbled the lion.

"It was me," squeaked the mouse. "I am sorry, Mister Lion. I did not mean to wake you. Please let me go home. One day, I will help you too."

The lion laughed a big laugh. "Ha ha ha! You? Help me? You are so small, and I am so big!"

But the lion was kind. He lifted his paw. "Go home, little mouse," he said.

"Thank you, thank you!" said the mouse. And she sang a little song as she ran. Big or small, big or small, kindness helps us one and all.

Can you sing it with me? Big or small, big or small, kindness helps us one and all.

Days went by. One morning, the lion went walking in the forest. He did not see a big rope net hiding under the leaves. Step, step... whoosh! The net wrapped all around him. The lion pushed. The lion pulled. But the net held him tight. He could not get out.

"Help! Help!" called the lion. ROAR! His roar went all over the forest.

The birds heard it. The monkeys heard it. And the little mouse heard it too, in her cosy home under the tree roots.

"That is my friend the lion," she said. "He needs help!" Scurry, scurry, scurry went her little feet, all the way to the lion.

"Don't worry, Mister Lion," said the mouse. "I am here."

The lion looked at the tiny mouse. "What can you do?" he asked softly.

The mouse smiled. Her teeth were small, but they were very sharp. She went to one rope and began to chew. Nibble, nibble, nibble. Snap! The rope broke. She went to the next rope. Nibble, nibble, nibble. Snap! And the next one. Nibble, nibble, nibble. Snap!

Soon there was a big hole in the net. The lion wriggled, and wriggled, and stepped right out. He was free!

The lion shook his big golden mane. "Thank you, little mouse," he said. "I laughed when you said you would help me. Now I know. Even a tiny friend can do a big thing."

The mouse climbed up and sat on the lion's big soft paw. "You were kind to me," she said, "so I was kind to you."

And together, the big lion and the little mouse sang their song. Big or small, big or small, kindness helps us one and all.

From that day on, they were the very best of friends.

Now close your eyes, my little one. Tomorrow, you can be kind to someone too, big or small. Good night.