Printable Scholar
The Lion and the Mouse: the whole story
Read it aloud straight from the screen, or print the read-aloud storybook.
Once upon a time, on a hot, sunny day, a great big lion lay fast asleep under a shady tree. He was the King of the Beasts, and all the animals were afraid of him.
Along came a little mouse, looking for seeds. She was in such a hurry that she didn’t look where she was going.
And she ran right over the lion’s paw, and right across his big nose!
Up woke the lion! And down came his great big paw... Thump!
“Who dares to wake the King of the Beasts?” said the lion. “I’ll eat you up in one bite!”
“Oh, please, Your Majesty! Please let me go!” said the mouse. “If you let me go, I promise I’ll never forget it. And one day, I might be able to help you!”
“Ha ha ha! You? Help me? How could a tiny little mouse ever help a great big lion?” said the lion.
But the mouse had made him laugh so much, that the lion lifted his paw and let her go.
“Off you go, little one,” said the lion.
“Thank you! I won’t forget!” said the mouse.
And the lion went back to sleep, still chuckling. A mouse, help a lion? What a funny idea!
Some days later, the lion went hunting in the forest. But hunters had set a trap for him: a big net of strong ropes, hidden up in the trees. The lion didn’t see it.
Down came the net! The lion pulled, and he twisted, and he tugged. But the more he pulled, the tighter the ropes held him.
So he roared and he roared, until the whole forest shook.
Far away, in her little home, the mouse heard the roar.
“That’s the lion! He’s in trouble!” said the mouse.
And she ran, as fast as her little legs could carry her.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll help you!” she said.
The lion was surprised. How could a tiny little mouse help him now?
The little mouse began to nibble at the ropes. Nibble, nibble, nibble, went her tiny teeth. She nibbled through one rope, then another, and another. Until, at last, the lion was free!
“You laughed at me, when I said I would help you,” said the mouse. “But now you see: even a little mouse can help a lion!”
“Thank you, little friend,” said the lion. “I’ll never laugh at you again.”
And from that day on, the lion and the mouse were the best of friends. So remember: little friends can be great friends. The end.