Too often we underestimate things because of their appearance. If we learn to look carefully, we see that even God's smallest creation has much to offer. Here is the story of how a lion came to understand this truth.

The mouse was trembling. Almost everything frightened him. Almost everything was bigger than he was. Not only was Mouse small but he also felt small and insignificant.

The lion was not afraid of anything. He was so strong and fierce. Convinced that nothing could harm him, he walked around full of confidence. And he seems to be amused that little animals were frightened of him. That's why when he saw mouse gathering seeds in the shadow of a small tree, he decided to strike. His big paw came down to the mouse and trapped him.

Mouse trembled. O Great one, don't eat me, he said in fear. Why not? Asked Lion. Surely, that is all you are good for! But I am so small that I can not be of any use to you as a meal, said the mouse. Let me go and I will be your friend forever.

A friend! Said Lion. Of what use is your friendship to me? He roared with laughter. You make me laugh. It is good to laugh. For that, I will let you go this time.

A few days later, while walking proudly through his territory, the lion noticed that several traps had been laid out by hunters. Foolish hunters, he thought to himself. They think they can catch me! He walked carefully and avoided every one of the traps, everyone that is, but a net hanging in a tree. Arrr, roared Lion as the net crashed down on him. He struggled to free himself but, no matter how hard he tried, he could not.

Mouse hearing all the noise, went over to find out what was happening. When he saw Lion caught in the net, he approached and said Great one, I come to help you.

It is not a good laugh I need now, said Lion, but strength and force!

Mouse did not allow himself to be discouraged. He went to work. Thread by thread, he chewed through the ropes until there was a hole in the net and Lion was

Lion learned a good lesson that day, and he was noble enough to admit it. I have misjudged you, my little friend, he said. Your friendship turned out to be more valuable than all my Power and strength.

As we rise to excellence, we find many spiritual forces at our command. One of these forces is kindness. A simple act of kindness can overcome even the most ferocious of the beast, as a slave in ancient Roman times once discovered.

Androcles was a slave who had managed to escape from his cruel master. Moving quietly through the forest, he suddenly came upon a lion. Fear seized him, and he began to run from the ferocious beasts. After only a few steps though, he noticed that the lion was not following. So he stopped and went back to see what was happening. The lion was lying on the ground with a swollen and blood-tied paw, and Androcles could see a large thorn in it. The suffering of so a noble beast touched his heart. He overcame his fear, approached the lion, and gently pulled out the thorn. He then went on to bind the wound with a strip of fabric torn from his clothes. In this way, Androcles and the lion became friends.

In, Androcles was later captured by the emperor's soldiers. As an escaped slave, he was sentenced to fight a hungry lion in front of the emperor and a large crowd. This usually meant death.

On the day of the fight, Androcles was placed in the arena. He prepared himself to meet his fate. A lion was released from a cage. Growling fiercely, it leaped towards its victim. Then suddenly it stopped. It approaches Androcles slowly, licked his hand, and received a hug in return. The two friends had met once again.

The crowd called for Androcles to be freed.......