^SOP'S FABLES 



27 



to swallow him. cc Pardon, O King," cried 

 the little Mouse ; ct forgive me this time, I 

 shall never forget it : who knows but what 

 I may be able to do you a turn some of these 

 days ? " The Lion was so tickled at the idea 

 of the Mouse being able to help him, that he 

 lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time 

 after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the 

 hunters, who desired to carry him alive to the 

 King, tied him to a tree while they went in 

 search of a waggon to carry him on. Just 

 then the little Mouse happened to pass by, 

 and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion 

 was, went up to him and soon gnawed away 

 the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. 

 u Was I not right? " said the little Mouse. 



