A Lion was awakened from his sleep by a Mouse running over his face.  Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse begged him, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness."

The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he laughed and let him go.  Shortly after this the Lion was caught by hunter, who bound him with ropes to a tree.  The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaimed:

"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,  expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favour.  Now you know that it is possible for even a mouse to help a lion.