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 strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse,
recognizing his roar, came and gnawed3 the rope with his teeth
and set him free, exclaiming:
"You ridiculed4 the idea of my ever being able to help you,
expecting to receive from me any repayment5 of your favor; now
you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to con6 benefits
on a Lion."
