The Lion and the Mouse

   A LION was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his
face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill
him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying:  "If you
would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your
kindness."  The Lion laughed and let him go.  It happened
shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters,
who bound him by strong ropes to the ground.  The Mouse,
recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth
and set him free, exclaiming:

  "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,
expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; now
you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to con benefits
on a Lion."