A hungry lion lay fast asleep in a thick wood. And there were some little mice who lived near by. They saw the great creature, and thought it would be fine sport to play Hide and Seek on his back. So one little mouse hid in his thick mane; another ran under his paw. One crept behind his tail. The smallest one of all ran over and over his back, to find those that were hiding. The little mice knew it was not quite safe, but they said it was all the more sport. Suddenly, with a great gape and stretch, the lion woke. How the mice ran!-all but the little one that was under his paw. It, poor thing, was held fast, and could not get away. His The lion was hungry, and a little cross. first thought was to eat his poor little prisoner. But the brave mouse put up its tiny paws, and looked the lion straight in the face. 66 Do not eat me, O lion!" she said. "Pray do not eat me! I'm such a little thing I should do you no good. And I've a mother and five brothers and sisters at home who would be so sad. If you will let me have my life now, I will do as much for you some day, indeed I will.” This made the lion laugh. But he was not a and away ran the "Thank you." Before his little brothers and sisters had told the sad story, the little mouse was safe at his mother's side. How happy they all were, and how they praised the good lion. II. It was long afterward - as mice count time; these that played Hide and Seek in the wood had grown to be fathers and mothers, with little ones of their own, when a strange thing happened. One of them-the very one that had been under the lion's paw-was near the place where they had had their play. She heard the roar of a lion, and had a mind to run quickly away. The sound came again. "I know that roar. It is my old friend," she said. "I will go and see what is the matter." There lay the lion, roaring dreadfully. 66 What is the matter?" said the mouse in her little squealing voice, but the lion did not hear. So she went nearer, and spoke louder. had to go close to his ear to make him hear. แ What is the matter?" she said again. She 66 Don't you see," said the lion, "how I am tied up with these ropes? They will come soon and shoot me," and he roared in rage. "Oh," said the mouse, "that is too bad." She went and looked at the great rope that held the lion fast. He had got into a trap. Then she crept close to his ear. "If you won't roar so loud, dear," she said in a motherly voice, "I will see if I cannot set you free." What nonsense," said the lion, and he filled the air with his roaring. -When he was still again, she said, "If you will lie still and not roar, I am sure I can save your life." 66 How can you?" growled the lion. What are my sharp little teeth good for, if I cannot gnaw your rope so that you can get away before they come to shoot you," said the mouse. It took a long time. The mouse was afraid all the time that the lion would snap at her and eat her up. But he lay still and looked at her as she worked so hard at the rope. 66 What makes you so kind?" he said at last. Do you remember," said the mouse, that you gave me my life once? When I was a young and giddy little child, you woke and found me under your paw, and you let me go free. I said I would do as much for you. I am doing it now, am I not?" 66 You have saved my life," said the great lion. And there was another story to tell at the mouse home after that. Quietly. 4 WINTER SONG. F. SCHUBERT. Lightly, lightly falls the snow, Myriad flakes together; Dancing, dancing to and fro, No one knoweth whither. 'Neath a mantle soft and white Safe through all the winter's night After Winter comes the May, |