For centuries, cultures around the world have used fables not only as entertainment but as a method of teaching meaningful moral lessons. Fairy tales have given cultures the opportunity to highlight their moral values ​​and provide individuals with a path to practice their traditions through their mind and heart. One of the most important fables to emerge from Western culture is “The Lion and the Mouse,” commonly attributed to Aesop. This fable has remained a favorite since its manufacture because of its simplistic yet enduring moralistic principles. Aesop's allegorical fable has continued to transcend its ancient roots to offer our revolutionary society a timeless setting that emphasizes the need for mutual dependence. This fable begins with a sturdy lion sleeping peacefully in the forest. Soon a weak mouse comes across the lion, disturbing his sleep. Angered, the lion tries to kill the mouse until it fearfully begs for forgiveness with the promise of helping him in the future. The lion does not take the mouse's proposal into account and decides to spare him from death. A few days later, during a hunting trip, the lion is caught by surprise by a hunter's net. Roaring in anger, the lion attracts the attention of the previously overlooked mouse. Without hesitation, the shy mouse gnaws on one of the ropes holding the lion hostage. The fable ends quickly with the lion's freedom and the mouse exclaims: “You laughed... Now you see that even a mouse can help a lion” (Aesop). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story of this fable is so baffling that scholars can only theorize about its origins, in stark contrast to the fable's simplistic telling. Like other fables, "The Lion and the Mouse" was a story believed to have been traditionally passed down orally and to have evolved with each reiteration. The first record of this fable was collected within, “Aesop's Fables,” and is attributed to the ancient Greek figure known as Aesop. There is little evidence to suggest that Aesop was a real being, but scholars have theorized that Aesop may have been a former slave before becoming a fabulist during the mid-6th century BC. Although Aesop may be considered more of a myth than a man , was nevertheless an important legend in Greece because his fables became a pillar of ancient Greek culture. Fables such as "The Lion and the Mouse" served as a cornerstone of education that conveyed moral principles to Greek children. Interestingly, fables like this were often politically charged and "served as a code through which the weak and powerless could speak against the strong and powerful." As with most fairy tales, the moralistic principle of "The Lion and the Mouse" lends itself to little interpretation as to how it should be observed. The most commonly accepted moral of this fable is that every being has value and the ability to act with kindness. This is demonstrated by the pompous behavior of the lion and the shy and gentle nature of the mouse. If the lion continued to view the mouse with little or no value, he himself would fall prey to the hunter's net. The mouse's altruism also contributes to the lion's freedom. Essentially, this fable serves as an allegory to condemn making judgments through preconceived notions. Through countless reiterations, Aesop's fable remains as relevant today as centuries before due to its abiding concepts of kindness and value in others. This fable is especially relevant among children because the symbolic tale provides a model that.