| 1 | A Lion was once asleep when a little Mouse chasing a moth did run up and down upon him. |
| 2 | The scurrying on his fur awoke the Lion, |
| 3 | Who then trapped the offending Mouse by its tail with one of his paws. |
| 4 | Just before the Lion was about to devour the Mouse, it did plead: |
| 5 | Pardon me Oh King. For I, such a little mouse, did awake and offend thee. |
| 6 | Forgive me this day, and I pledge my word I shall some day return the favor. |
| 7 | Upon such a boastful and eloquent plea, the Lion did reply: |
| 8 | You speak well Mouse, though I cannot foresee a time when you could possibly fulfill your oath. |
| 9 | Go on your way and for the sake of a long life, do not go aggravating any more beasts. |
| 10 | The Lion lifted his paw and the Mouse hurried away. |
| 11 | Some time later, the Lion was caught by hunters who brought him to the city of a cruel King, |
| 12 | Who did enjoy creating the false spectacle before an audience of himself as a great hunter defeating wild beasts. |
| 13 | Within the dungeons, the same little Mouse which the Lion had previously spared did pass by. |
| 14 | At seeing the Lion, the Mouse did remind him of his solemn oath and proceeded to seek a way for his release. |
| 15 | The Lion in response did say: Save your strength little Mouse, for my fate is sealed. There be nothing even an elephant could do for me. |
| 16 | Upon these words, the Mouse hatched an idea. |
| 17 | He spoke to the other animals who were also imprisoned as to his oath that he would repay his honor debt to the Lion. |
| 18 | So it was the elephant that used its trunk to steal the keys; |
| 19 | The monkeys that used the keys to release the beasts and the Lion; |
| 20 | The horses that protested to the soldiers they were lame; |
| 21 | And the rats and mice that gnawed the ropes to the gates so that none of the Kings guards could escape after them. |
| 22 | At the edge of the forest, the Lion bid farewell to the Mouse that saved him and said thus: |
| 23 | Above all, you have proven that when even the smallest and weakest have honor, wit and courage, |
| 24 | They can defeat even the greatest of enemies. |
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