a lion was awakened1 from sleep by a mouse running over his face. rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the mouse piteously entreated2, saying: "if you would only spare my life, i would be sure to repay your kindness." the lion laughed and let him go. it happened shortly after this that the lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by st ropes to the ground. the mouse, ognizing his roar, came gnawed3 the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaim "you ridiculed4 the idea of my ever being able to help you, expecting to receive from me any repayment5 of your favor; i now you know that it is possible for even a mouse to con6 benefits on a lion."