He is called the King of the Beasts, and there is a reason for that. A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse, running from a predatory Cat. The Mouse unwittingly scampered over the Lions face. Rising up, the Lion snatched the mouse and growled at its temerity in waking him from his nap.
The Mouse entreated the Lion: "Spare my life, O great Lion. I promise I will repay your kindness."
The Lion laughed, and charmed by the Mouse's foolish audacity, let the him go. The mighty beast lightly boxed the Cat's ears, chasing her away from the Mouse and saying to her, |  |
"There are bigger Cats in the forest who would spare so small a creature!"
Some time later the Lion became ensnared in a rope trap set by the hunters. The Mouse heard him roar in frustration and fear, and the small animal rushed to gnaw the ropes that bound the Lion, freeing him.
The Lion was amazed to see the Mouse and thanked him, but it was the Mouse who said, "When you set me free I knew from your kindness that you were truly royal." And ever after the Mouse told all the forest creatures that the Lion was King of the Beasts. A Kindness given always returns
when needed most, when most unlikely,
and often from someone unexpected or unknown |
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