The following is a three level introduction to the story of The Lion and the Mouse. Begin with level 1, and work your way up to level 3 by learning the new vocabulary added in each section.
Reading Level 1
Story by Aesop, modern translation by Diedra Drake
A sleeping Lion was woken up by a Mouse running over his face. He lost his temper and grabbed it with his paw to kill it.
The scared Mouse begged for its life, “Please let me go, and one day I will do you a special favor.”
The idea of the small creature ever being able to help him was funny to the Lion. He laughed and let it go. But the day the Mouse could help came.
One day, the Lion got caught in a hunters net, and the Mouse heard his angry roars and ran to him. He started to chew the ropes with his teeth, and quickly set the Lion free.
“There!” said the Mouse. “You laughed at my promise to do you a favor, but now you see, even a Mouse can help a Lion.”
Reading Level 2
Story by Aesop, modern translation by Diedra Drake
A Lion asleep in his lair was waked up by a Mouse running over his face. Losing his temper he seized it with his paw and was about to kill it.
The Mouse, terrified, begged for pity and asked him to spare its life. “Please let me go,” it cried. “One day I will repay your kindness.”
The idea of so small a creature ever being able to do anything for him was funny and made the Lion laugh. In a good mood, he let it go. But the Mouse had a chance to help, after all.
One day the Lion got tangled in a net left by some hunters. The Mouse heard and remembered the roars of anger and ran to the spot. Without waiting, he set to work chewing the ropes with his teeth, and had quick success setting the Lion free.
“There!” said the Mouse. “You laughed at me when I promised you a favor, but now you see, even a Mouse can help a Lion.”
Reading Level 3
Story by Aesop, translated by V. S. Vernon Jones
A Lion asleep in his lair was waked up by a Mouse running over his face. Losing his temper he seized it with his paw and was about to kill it.
The Mouse, terrified, piteously entreated him to spare its life. “Please let me go,” it cried, “and one day I will repay you for your kindness.”
The idea of so insignificant a creature ever being able to do anything for him amused the Lion so much that he laughed aloud, and good-humouredly let it go. But the Mouse’s chance came, after all.
One day the Lion got entangled in a net which had been spread for game by some hunters, and the Mouse heard and recognized his roars of anger and ran to the spot. Without more ado it set to work to gnaw the ropes with its teeth, and succeeded before long in setting the Lion free.
“There!” said the Mouse, “you laughed at me when I promised I would repay you: but now you see, even a Mouse can help a Lion.”
