The Lion and the Mouse

(Snore loudly, then let your voice go quiet.)

Deep in the golden forest, a big lion lay fast asleep under a tree, snoring, hrrr, hrrr. The sun was warm and the grass was soft.

A tiny mouse was hurrying home and did not look where she was going. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, she ran right across the lion’s nose!

(Roar low and loud, then squeak small.)

The lion woke up with a ROAR and caught the mouse in his huge paw. “Who dares to wake me?” he growled.

“Please, great lion, let me go!” squeaked the mouse. “One day I will help you.” The lion laughed so hard that his belly shook. “How could a tiny mouse ever help me?” But he was kind, so he opened his paw.

Some days later there was a snap, a rustle, and a great, loud roar. The lion had walked into a hunter’s net. He pulled and pulled and roared, but he could not break free. The whole forest trembled.

Far away, the little mouse heard him. She ran and ran, pitter-patter, until she found the lion tangled in the ropes. “Don’t worry, friend,” she said.

(Make quick little nibbling sounds.)

Nibble, nibble, nibble, she chewed the ropes with her sharp little teeth. Snap! The last rope broke and the lion was free. “Thank you, little friend,” said the lion. “I was wrong to laugh. You are small, but you are brave.”

(Slow right down for the last page.)

From that day on, the lion and the mouse were the best of friends. In the evenings they sat under the same tree while the sun went down, a big golden lion and a tiny grey mouse. When the stars came out, the mouse curled up between his paws, and they both fell asleep. Goodnight.