Not very long after this the lion was caught by some men and made fast with a rope.
The men left him and went to get more rope, to bind him.
"Now is my time!" said the mouse.
He ran to the lion and began to gnaw the rope.
He gnawed and he gnawed.
At last he gnawed through the rope and set the lion free.
"You laughed at me," said the mouse, "but have I not helped you?"
"You have saved my life," said the lion.
