Once upon a time, in a sunny corner of the savanna, lived a very big lion named Leo. Leo had a magnificent golden mane that looked like a crown, and paws as large as dinner plates. When he stretched out for a nap under the acacia tree, he looked like a furry golden mountain.
Now, because Leo was so big, the other little animals often felt a little bit shy around him. The quick-footed gazelles would give him a wide berth, the chattering monkeys would grow quiet when he passed, and the tiny field mice would scurry into their holes at just the sight of his shadow. They thought that someone so large must surely be loud and rough.
But what the little animals didn't always see was how gentle Leo truly was. His loud purr was more like a rumbling cuddle sound, and his big paws, though strong, could step as lightly as falling leaves. Leo loved the warm sun, peaceful naps, and watching the butterflies flit by. He wouldn't dream of being rough with anyone.
One warm afternoon, a little field mouse named Pip was trying to carry a very large, very tasty berry back to his home. The berry was almost as big as Pip! He was pushing and rolling it with all his might near the acacia tree where Leo was having his afternoon nap.
Suddenly, the berry rolled into a tiny dip in the ground and got stuck! Pip pushed and pushed, his little whiskers twitching with frustration, but the berry wouldn't budge. He didn't even notice how close he was getting to the sleeping lion.
Just then, Leo stirred. He lifted his massive head, his sleepy eyes blinking open. He saw the little mouse and his big problem. He watched Pip struggle for a moment, then slowly, carefully, he lifted one enormous paw.
Pip froze, his heart doing a tiny mouse drumbeat. Was the big lion going to roar? Was he going to chase him away? But Leo didn't do any of those things. With incredible slowness and softness, using just the very tip of one giant paw-pad, Leo nudged the berry out of the dip.
The berry rolled free, right onto the smooth path again. Leo gave a soft, rumbling purr, which sounded like the earth murmuring a lullaby. He looked down at Pip with his kind, sleepy eyes.
Pip stared up at the giant lion, completely surprised. He saw no fierceness, only a warm, gentle helper. Pip squeaked a tiny, grateful "Thank you!" and scampered off with his berry, feeling safe and happy.
From that day on, Pip and the other little animals learned something important. They learned that you can't always tell what someone is like just by how big they are or how they look. Leo the lion, the biggest creature around, had the gentlest heart of all. And he continued taking his peaceful naps, knowing he could use his size and strength to be helpful, not scary.