IT'S TIME FOR STORIES!

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

This is the story of Larry the Lion and Monty the Mouse.

Larry is big and strong. He is the King of the jungle.

He has got a big mouth and big teeth.

Everybody in the jungle is afraid of him. Monty isn't very strong. He hasn't got a big mouth and big teeth.

He is very small but he is very brave. He isn't afraid of anybody.

One day Monty is playing football with his friends.

He kicks the ball and it goes into the jungle.

Monty's friends are afraid of the jungle because Larry the Lion lives there. "I can get the ball", says Monthy "I'm not afraid of anybody." So he runs into the jungle to look for the ball.

He sees the ball behind a big tree and he goes to get it.

Larry is behind the big tree, too. He is sleeping on the grass. The ball is next to Larry. When Monty runs to get the ball, he falls on Larry and he wakes him up.

"I'm sorry," says Monty "Please, don't hurt me!"

Larry is very angry. He looks at Monty and roars.

Now Monty is afraid. "Please, don't hurt me!" he says again. "We can be friends and maybe one day I can help you." Larry laughs and laughs. " You and me friends!" he says "How can you help me? You are small and weak and I am big and strong!" and he laughs again. "I am very small and I am not very strong," Monty says "but remember I always help my friends."

Larry isn't really bad. He doesn't hurt Monty. He gives him the ball and says, "you can go and play with your friends," and then he roars.

"Thank you and goodbye, my friend!" says Monty "See you soon," and he runs away.

The next day Monty returns to the jungle. He wants to see his new friend. He looks everywhere but he can't find him. He looks behind the tree but Larry isn't there. He looks near the water but Larry isn't there. Then he looks in the bush but Larry isn't there.

"Where is Larry?" he asks Polly the Parrot. "I don't know," Polly answers.

Then Monty hears a loud roar. It is coming from a big hole. He runs to the hole and looks inside. Larry is in the hole. He is sad and afraid. He is in a big trap and he can't get out. " Can you help me, please?" he says to Monty. Monty looks at poor Larry and answers, "I'm very small and I'm not very strong but I always help my friends."

So Monty jumps into the hole and he helps Larry.

"How can I thank you?" asks Larry. "You don't need to say tank you. Friends always help each other. And you are my friend," says Monty.

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT