狮子与老鼠的故事

　　伊索寓言大多是动物故事，一部分用豺狼、狮子等凶恶的动物比喻人间的权贵，揭露他们的专横、残暴；一部分用弱小动物，反映平民或奴隶的思想感情；一部分则总结生活经验，教人处世和做人的道理。伊索寓言短小精炼，比喻恰当，形象生动。

　　一次，一只狮子正在睡觉，一只小老鼠在他脸上跑来跑去，把狮子吵醒了。狮子很生气，起身把老鼠按到地上，准备把他吃掉。小老鼠可怜巴巴地恳求说：“请饶过我一次吧。我一定会报答您的恩德。”狮子被老鼠的这个想法逗笑了，于是放了老鼠。

　　后来有一次，猎人们设陷阱，活提了狮子，用结实的绳子把狮子牢牢地绑住。这时，那只小老鼠听到了狮子的吼声，立即上前，咬断了困住百兽之王狮子的绳子。

　　狮子重获自由。这时，小老鼠大声说道：“我说过可以帮助您，您却嘲笑我，不相信会需要我的帮忙。您看，我说的没错吧，老鼠也能帮助狮子。”

　　注重微不足道的朋友。

　　The Lion and the Mouse

　　A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up in anger, 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 up and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and, setting him free, exclaimed, "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; but now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion."

　　No one is too weak to do good.