The Lion and the Mouse

A casual act of mercy brought an unexpected reward.

Introduction

When the King of Jungle let a lippy little mouse go, he had no idea that he was saving his own life too.

A LION who had caught a mouse was on the point of eating it, when the little rascal spoke up. ‘Your proper prey is deer’ he squeaked crossly, ‘and creatures with horns. A meal of mouse would be no more than a grain of salt on your lips.’

The lion found him amusing, and let him go.

As fate would have it, that same day the lion fell into a pit dug by a hunter, and became entangled in a net. He let out a great roar, and struggled with all his might, but the cords held him fast.

By and by, he heard a soft scratching sound. There was the little mouse, gnawing on the ropes. At last the cords fell away, and the mighty lion could scramble out into the light.

And the moral of that is, that it is well worth taking care of the weak among us, even when we have no thought of return.

Based on the Greek of Babrius. See also an English version by Perry.
Précis
A lion was on the point of eating a mouse, but thought better of it. Later, the lion got caught in a trap, and the grateful mouse gnawed through the ropes. So you never know when your acts of kindness will repay you.
Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What argument did the mouse use, as to why he should not be eaten?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

A lion caught a mouse. The mouse begged for its life. The lion let the mouse go.

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