The Elephants and the Mice
Long ago, a group of mice lived among the ruins of an old village by a lake.
One day, a herd of elephants walked through the village on their way to drink water. Their big feet crushed many of the mice’s homes.
The king of the mice went bravely to the elephant king. “Please take another path,” he said. “And one day, we will help you too.” The elephant king smiled at the idea of tiny mice helping elephants — but he kindly agreed.
Some time later, hunters came to the forest. They caught the elephants in strong rope nets. The elephants pulled and pushed, but they could not break free.
Then the elephant king remembered the mice. He sent one elephant who had escaped to ask for help.
Hundreds of mice came running. They nibbled and gnawed at the ropes all night long, until every net was in pieces.
The elephants were free! “Thank you, little friends,” said the elephant king. “You are small, but your hearts are very big.”
