“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci. Adopted by Steve Jobs.
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A Lion was asleep in the forest when a little Mouse accidentally ran across the Lion’s nose. Suddenly awakened, the powerful Lion roared in anger and laid his huge paw on the tiny creature to kill her. “Spare me, please!,” the little Mouse pleaded.
In his majesty, the Lion let her go.
And so it was, some time later, that the Lion became entrapped under the power of a Hunter’s net. Helpless, the Lion roared in distress.
The little Mouse was nearby and recognized the Lion’s roar.
Remembering the majestic kindness of the Lion, the tiny Mouse went to the Lion’s aid and gnawed the rope net until the Lion was freed.
“You were kind to me once and showed mercy when you did not need to do so,” said the Mouse. “I know that I am small, but I can still serve my purpose for you.”
Moral of the Story: A kindness is never wasted, each friend is of value. Even small things have their own purpose. What goes around, comes around.
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Introduction – The Essential Aesop – Epilogue
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Why We Loved It: Aesop uses reversal with his King-of-the-Jungle Lion and his insignificant Little Mouse, in one of his most well-known, and most beloved, and most beautiful timeless fables and teaching about mercy.
Little Mice naturally scurry around in fear. But, Aesop teaches here the grand lesson to remember that even the proud and majestic Apex Lion can get tripped up sometimes. Thusly, Aesop reminds us that no one is immune, from the large to the small.
But that is only one-half of the lesson.
The grander lesson is not only that the large can fail, but also that the small can save. Thusly, two lessons. The first lesson is that the large can fall and be made weak, like the small are by nature. The second lesson is the small can serve a purpose and do great things, like the large can do by nature. Pretty much the stuff of Master Tolkien’s metaphor of the friendly lowly Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings.
But, let us stop and perceive, that is really only two-thirds of Aesop’s lesson.
The grandest lesson in this little mouse of a fable, is the causation. That is, the real lesson is in “the why?” Why should the Little Mouse save that great Lion? Perhaps it’s time for that proud and mighty Lion’s comeuppance. Or, perhaps time for vengeance. [1, 2]
Yes, the Apex Lion can fail. And, yes, the Little Mouse can save. But, the real lesson here is about the interest paid on the investment made in mercy. Thus, the adage, “Misericordia pertinet potentia.” (“Mercy implicates power.”) And, if we should really press it, mercy is perhaps something different than “pure love.” Pure love by the powerful does not need the application of mercy, because pure love will naturally self-sacrifice for the object by definition. But pure love is the exception, not the rule. Mercy implies a discipline by power, because power suffers mercy only by choice. There is no mercy without a choice. No choice, no mercy. Now, what causes the Lion to make the choice is for the Lion himself, but the Little Mouse only knows the effect, which is salvation by mercy.
This fable reminds us to restrain, step back, and not to react in a manner that has the impact of destroying a relationship. Relationships are our greatest assets. A little courtesy, such as a little mercy, goes a long way.
Mercy, like Wisdom, invests into the future. [3]
The pity of Bilbo. Click to watch on YouTube.
Related Article: Burning Bridges – Business of Aesop™ No. 15 – The Lion and the Mouse.
[1] Burning Bridges – Business of Aesop™ No. 15 – The Lion and the Mouse. [#GRZ_28]
[2] Having Drunk from the Well; Love, Mercy and Forgiveness [#GRZ_114]
[3] The Three Noble Cardinal Rules of Wisdom [#GRZ_189]
“Misericordia pertinet potentia.” (“Mercy implicates power.”); “Potentia misericordiam non patitur nisi per electionem.” (“Power suffers mercy only by choice.”); “Nulla electio, nulla misericordia.” (“No choice, no mercy.”); “Purus amor est exceptio, non regula.”) (“Pure love is the exception, not the rule.”); “Misericordia in futurum collocat.” (“Mercy invests in the future.”); “Misericordia, ut sapientia, collocat in futurum.” (“Mercy, like Wisdom, invests into the future.”) ~ grz
© 2013 Arnold Zegarelli and Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn. Arnold Zegarelli can be contacted through Facebook.
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