once when a lion was asleep a little mouse began running up

and down upon him; this soon wakened the lion, who placed his huge

paw upon him, and opened his big jaws1 to swallow him. "pardon, o

king," cried the little mouse: "forgive me this time, i shall

never forget it: who knows but what i may be able to do you a turn

some of these days?" the lion was so tickled2 at the idea of the

mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let

him go. some time after the lion was caught in a trap, and the

hunters who desired to carry him alive to the king, tied him to a

tree while they went in search of a waggon3 to carry him on. just

then the little mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad

plight in which the lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed4 away

the ropes that bound the king of the beasts. "was i not right?"

said the little mouse.

little friends may prove great friends.