A lion named Sheru is napping under a tree when a mouse named Neetu begins playing on his tail and back without waking him. When Neetu dances on Sheru's head, Sheru wakes with a roar and catches Neetu. Neetu pleads for his life, saying he will be Sheru's friend. Sheru decides to let Neetu go since he is too small to eat. Later, hunters trap Sheru in a net and Neetu hears his friend's roar for help. Neetu bites through the net to free Sheru, proving that even small beings can help greater ones. Sheru and Neetu remain friends after Neetu's act of

1. The Lion & the Mouse
A Story of Friendship
Vidhi Loyalka,Nursery A

2. It was a hot day in the forest. Sheru the lion ate a big meal. He was very tired. He went to sleep
under a shady tree.

3. Neetu the mouse was playing happily in the forest. He jumped about here and there. He saw
Sheru’s tail and ran up the tail. Sheru did not wake up. Neetu became a little bold. He wanted to
have some fun. He ran up Sheru’s back. Sheru still didn’t get up. Oh, this was great fun!

4. Neetu became even more bold and danced on Sheru’s head. Sheru got up with a loud roar. He
was very angry. He caught Neetu with his paws.

5. Neetu was very scared. He said in a small voice, “King Sheru, I am sorry. Please don’t eat me. I
was only playing. Please let me go. I shall always be your friend. Maybe one day I can help you.”

6. Sheru laughed. He said, “You are so small. How can you ever help a big lion like me?” Sheru
thought, “Anyway this mouse is too small to eat. I am also full. I will let him go.” So Sheru put
down Neetu.

7. A few days later, some hunters came to the forest. They spread out nets to catch animals. Sheru
was caught in a net. Sheru was very angry. He roared loudly. All the animals heard the lion.
Neetu heard Sheru. He said to himself, “My friend is in trouble. He needs my help.”

8. Neetu saw Sheru caught in the net. He bit the net with his sharp teeth and slowly made a big
hole in it. Sheru came out of the net through the hole.

9. The lion and the mouse are friends!
“Thank you, little mouse,” said Sheru. “You are so small, but you saved my life.”
“It was my turn to help you, King Sheru,” said Neetu.
“We will be friends always,” said Sheru.

10. Moral of The Story
Mercy Brings its Rewards
There is no being so small that it cannot help a
greater