Once upon a time,
In a vast,
Lush forest,
A lion was sleeping beneath a tree.
He had eaten his fill,
And his steady breathing made the leaves sway like a slow pendulum.
Sunlight filtered through the branches,
Casting a dance of light and shadow across the forest floor.
A small mouse,
Curious and joyful,
Was playing among the roots.
He was so caught up in his game that he didn't notice the sleeping lion.
Without meaning to,
He climbed onto the lion's paw,
And startled the king of the jungle.
The lion opened one eye,
Let out a growl,
And placed his heavy paw on the mouse's back.
Who dares wake me?
He said in a deep,
Calm voice.
The mouse trembled slightly,
But found the courage to speak.
Oh,
Great lion,
I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to.
I was running,
Playing.
I know I'm small,
But if you let me go,
Maybe one day I could help you.
The lion let out a deep laugh that echoed through the forest.
You,
A little mouse,
Help a lion.
But something in the mouse's eyes made him pause.
He saw a spark of sincerity and determination.
So he lifted his paw and let him go.
Time passed,
And the lion forgot the encounter.
Days turned into weeks,
And weeks into months.
The lion went on ruling the forest,
Hunting and resting under the trees.
But one day,
He fell into a trap.
A thick rope held him prisoner,
Suspended between two trees.
He roared,
Called out,
Struggled,
In vain.
The rope was strong,
And he couldn't break free.
That's when the little mouse heard the cries.
He rushed over,
Saw the trapped lion,
And said,
Don't move,
I'll help you.
With his sharp little teeth,
He gnawed at the rope,
Patiently,
Thread by thread.
He worked without stopping,
Determined to free his friend.
Until the trap gave way,
And the lion was free.
The lion looked at the mouse and bowed his head.
Thank you,
Little friend,
You saved me.
From that day on,
In the whole forest,
It was known that a great friendship has been born,
One between lion and a mouse,
United by kindness,
Memory,
And a promise kept.
You see,
We're never too small to do something great.
The lion believed his strength was enough,
But he learned that we all need others,
Even the tiniest mouse.
And the mouse wasn't afraid to try,
Even if everyone else would have thought he was too small.
You too have that power within you.
Your kindness,
Your listening,
Your courage,
Even if they seem small,
Can change the world around you.
So tonight,
As you close your eyes,
Think of something tiny that makes your heart feel big.
A seed,
A smile,
A thank you.
Good night.
