Lion was awakened¹ from sleep by a mouse running over his face.

 

Rising up in anger, 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 up, and gnawed³ the rope with his teeth, and setting him free, exclaimed: "You ridiculed⁴ the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment⁵ of your favour; but now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a lion."

 

Little friends may prove great friends.

 

一只老鼠从一只狮子面前跑过去，将它从梦中吵醒。

 

狮子生气地跳起来，捉住老鼠，要弄死它。老鼠哀求说：“只要你肯饶恕我这条小生命，我将来一定会报答你的大恩。”狮子便笑着放了它。

 

后来狮子被几个猎人捉住，用粗绳捆绑倒在地上。

 

老鼠听出是狮子的吼声，走来用牙齿咬断绳索，释放了牠，并大声说：“你当时嘲笑我想帮你的忙，而且也不指望我有什么机会报答。但是你现在知道了，就算是小老鼠，也能向狮子效劳的。”

 

强者不会永远是强者，强者也会有需要弱者帮助的时候。

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