The Lion and the Mouse
An ancient story from the
Panchatantra
Once there lived a lion in his den deep in the forest. A
mouse made his home in it as well. One day the lion
felt tired and fell asleep. The mouse came out of his
hole. He was in a playful mood. He came into the den.
He climbed on the lion and danced on his back. He
danced with great joy.
The lion’s sleep was
disturbed and he
woke up. He saw the
mouse and he
became angry. The
lion roared “ I’ll kill
you”. The mouse
was frightened.
What could he do?
The mouse begged the lion, “Have mercy on me and
spare my life”. “If you leave me alive I will repay you
someday in the future”, he exclaimed.
The lion said to himself, “The mouse is a tiny weak
creature, how can he repay me? However the Lion took
pity on the mouse and let him go. He forgot everything
about the mouse.
A few months
later, a hunter
spread his net to
catch the Lion.
The lion was
caught in the net.
He was afraid for
his life. He tried
his best to get free
but all his efforts
were in vain. He
roared loudly for
help. Who could
save his life? Who
do you think came
to save the Lion?
You are right. It was the tiny mouse. The mouse
nibbled his way through the net and in a short time the
Lion was free. The Lion thanked the mouse for saving
his life. He said to himself, “We should show mercy to
all. Even small creatures are helpful”.
The moral of this story is;
Mercy is a great virtue.
Do not despise small things because
one day they may be great.
Do not despise people of low status in
our society because one day they may
have the power to help you.
What Biblical truth can we learn
from this story?
Psalm 75 verse 6-7 The Lion is like God.
“Promotion comes The Lion had mercy on
neither from the east or the mouse. God is the
the west or the desert; King of Kings and the
God exalts a person of Lion is the King of the
no status and he beasts. Both have great
humbles another power in their realms.
important person”. They chose to exercise
“Be careful, pride mercy rather than great
comes before a fall. God power. Eph 2 v 4 “God
resists the proud and is rich in mercy because
blesses the humble”. of His great love for
James 4 verse 6. us”.
We can be like the Lion or the mouse
The Lion. The Mouse.
When we have the Although we are small
opportunity to exercise we can help our leaders
power, let us use it with by doing the small
mercy. things that set them free
When we have the to be great leaders.
opportunity to pass Every little bit we that is
judgement according to in our power to do, will
the law let us exercise help be a blessing to the
mercy. life of someone else.
The truths of this simple story are
consistent with Kingdom values.
This story is a story Jesus The truths of the kingdom in
could have told about the this story are;
Kingdom of God. 1. Mercy is a greater virtue
It contains truths about the than judgement.
Kingdom of God. 2. The least in the kingdom of
We are commanded to teach God can be the greatest.
the truths of the Kingdom of 3. We need each other whether
God to all people great or small in God’s
everywhere. work.
We must communicate in a 4. We are the Body of Christ
way they understand. and we should help each
other as we have needs.
Acknowledgements
“Panchatantra” published by Adarsh Books,
New Delhi, India, 2003.