A TRUE FRIEND

Long ago many animals lived in a forest there were big as well as small animals.

Among all the animals the lion was the most powerful.

All the animals feared him. During the lion slept peacefully in his den, but at night he prowled around looking for some animal for a feast.

One day lion was resting, a naughty little mouse entered his den. 

he ran all over the den.

He jumped over the lion's back and reached his mouth.

His tail went into the lion's mouth.

The mouse then entered the lion's nose and tickled him from inside.

The lion at once sneezed.

 With that, the mouse was thrown up in the air and he fell right in front of the lion.

The lion caught the mouse in his claws and said, there you are

the mouse begged the lion to set him free.

He said I shall be your friend and help you in your time of need please forgive me now

Seeing of mouse cry bitterly, the lion said in a deep voice, only equals can be friends you are too small to be my friend.

So go away. The lion let the mouse go.

the mouse ran as fast as he could and hid in his hole.

Days went by one after the other. 

And on one dark night lion was out, as usual, looking for some animal for a feast.

The lion's foot got caught in a thorny bush.

Though the lion pulled out his leg, a big thorn pierced in its paw.

The lion was in great pain and could not put his paw down.

The lion groaned loudly.

The mouse heard the lion's groan and came to his help.

He saw the lion standing with his one paw raised.

The mouse went near the lion.

He saw the big thorn in the lion's paw.

Slowly the mouse pulled the thorn out with his tiny sharp teeth.

With the thorn went away the lion's pain.

He thanked the mouse and said, You helped me when I was in trouble. 

You are small but a true friend.