100个儿童英语小故事: The Lion and the Mouse Who Returned a Favor

 

081 The Lion and the Mouse Who Returned a Favor

A cute baby mouse went on a picnic in the woods. At the same time, a lion was taking a nap in the warm sunlight. The baby mouse was alarmed to see the large lion taking a nap. 'Wow! Mr. Lion is bigger than I've heard!'

While gazing at the lion, the baby mouse happened to step on the lion's paw. Instantly, the lion opened his eyes and glared at the mouse. "What fool stepped on my foot?" Scared to death, the baby mouse shivered.

"Mr. Lion, please forgive me." begged the baby mouse. However, the lion was very displeased¹ that the little mouse stepped on his foot. "I'm sorry. Please, forgive me. If you spare my life, I will return a favor," said the mouse. "Huh! How can such a little creature like you return my favor?" snorted the lion.

The baby mouse mustered² all his courage and said once again, "Mr. Lion, you will be in trouble someday and who knows who can help you?"

The lion was impressed by the little mouse's courage and said, "Well, well, well! Since I appreciate your courage, I'll forgive you. I will let you go." "Thank you, Mr. Lion!" The baby mouse hurriedly ran a way.

One day, the lion was proudly rambling³ around the forest and got trapped in a hunter's net. "I can't believe this! I got caught in a trap that humans set!'" The lion was very scared because he thought the hunters would come any minute.

The lion regretted that he came out to search for food. 'I should have stayed home.' The lion recklessly cried out, "Help! Help me!"

However, other animals could not help the lion because they were afraid that the hunters would come at any moment. Then, the little mouse who was living outside the forest came running after hearing the lion cry.

"Mr. Lion, what happened?" "As you can see, I got caught in a trap that the hunters set. But, no one can help me," cried the lion. "Mr. Lion, can I help you?"

"How can such a small creature like you help me?" The baby mouse began nibbling⁴ and nibbling. He did his best. Slowly, a few strings⁵ of the net broke off.

Finally, the lion was able to get out of the net. "Thank you, Little Mouse. How can I repay you?" "You forgave me last time," replied the mouse. The big lion thanked the little baby mouse with all his heart.

1 displeased   

a.不快的

参考例句：

• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。
• He was displeased about the whole affair. 他对整个事情感到很不高兴。

2 mustered   

v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发

参考例句：

• We mustered what support we could for the plan. 我们极尽所能为这项计划寻求支持。
• The troops mustered on the square. 部队已在广场上集合。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 rambling   

adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的

参考例句：

• We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
• It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。

4 nibbling   

v.啃，一点一点地咬（吃）( nibble的现在分词 )；啃出（洞），一点一点咬出（洞）；慢慢减少；小口咬

参考例句：

• We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives. 我们坐在那儿，喝着葡萄酒嚼着橄榄。
• He was nibbling on the apple. 他在啃苹果。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。