Once upon a time, a great lion lay sleeping in the shade of a tree. He was the king of all the animals, strong and proud and fierce.

A little mouse came scurrying by, not looking where she was going. She ran right across the lion's nose.

The lion woke with a growl and slapped his paw down, trapping the tiny mouse. "How dare you wake me!" he roared. "I should eat you for that."

"Oh please, mighty lion!" squeaked the mouse. "Please let me go. I'm so small, I would hardly be a mouthful. And someday, I promise, I will repay your kindness."

The lion laughed. A mouse, help a lion? That was the funniest thing he had ever heard. But he was in a good mood, so he lifted his paw and let her go.

"Off with you, little mouse," he chuckled. "I could use the laugh."

Many days later, the lion was walking through the forest when he stepped into a hunter's trap. A heavy net fell over him, and the more he struggled, the tighter it wrapped around him. He roared and thrashed, but he couldn't break free.

The little mouse heard his roars from far away. She came running as fast as her tiny legs could carry her. When she saw the lion tangled in the net, she said, "Hold still, friend. I told you I would repay you."

And with her sharp little teeth, she began to gnaw at the ropes. She chewed and chewed, one strand at a time. It took a while, but bit by bit, the net came apart.

At last, the lion was free. He stood up and looked down at the little mouse with new respect.

"I was wrong to laugh at you," he said gently. "You are small, but you are the bravest friend I've ever had."

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.