Once upon a time, when the sun painted the sky orange and pink, there lived a big, golden lion named Sheru in a cozy Indian forest. Every night, Sheru would yawn a BIIIIIG yawn and curl up under the old banyan tree. But he always slept alone.
“I wish I had a friend to say goodnight to,” Sheru whispered to the twinkling stars.
In a tiny hole nearby lived Chhotu, a little brown mouse. He was so small, he could fit in a teacup! Every night, Chhotu would curl up in his soft grass bed, all by himself.
“I wish I had a friend too,” squeaked Chhotu, looking at the same stars.
The next morning, the forest woke up with chirping birds and rustling leaves. Sheru stretched and went for his morning walk. But oh no!
“OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!” roared Sheru. He had stepped on a sharp thorn!
The big lion sat down and tried to pull it out. He tried with his teeth – it didn’t work. He tried with his other paw – it didn’t work. The thorn was stuck!
Little Chhotu heard the loud “OUCH!” from his tiny home. He peeked out and saw the mighty lion looking very sad.
“Should I help him?” thought Chhotu. “But I’m so small and he’s so big!”
Then Chhotu remembered what his mama always said: “Even tiny helpers can do big things!”
Brave little Chhotu scurried over. “Don’t worry, Big Lion!” he squeaked. “I can help!”
Sheru looked down, surprised. “You? But you’re so tiny!”
“My teeth are tiny too – just right for tiny thorns!” said Chhotu with a smile.
Carefully, gently, Chhotu used his sharp little teeth. Nibble, nibble, tug… POP! Out came the thorn!
“Hooray!” roared Sheru happily. He was so happy he did a little dance. “Thank you, little friend! You saved me!”
From that day on, Sheru and Chhotu were the very best of friends. They played hide-and-seek behind the mango trees. They splashed in the cool river. They shared yummy berries at snack time.
But one evening, while Sheru was taking his before-dinner nap, something scary happened. Hunters came to the forest and caught Sheru in a big net!
“HELP!” roared Sheru, but he couldn’t get out.
Chhotu was collecting seeds when he heard his friend’s cry. He rushed over and saw Sheru trapped in the rope net.
“Don’t be scared!” squeaked Chhotu. “Friends help friends! Remember?”
The little mouse got to work. Nibble, nibble, nibble went his sharp teeth on the ropes. Nibble, nibble, nibble – the ropes got thinner and thinner.
SNAP! The net broke open and Sheru was free!
“My tiny friend saved me again!” said Sheru, giving Chhotu the gentlest lion hug ever.
Soon, all the animals in the forest heard about their special friendship. The elephants became friends with the ants. The peacocks became friends with the sparrows. Everyone learned that friends come in all sizes!
Now, every night when the moon comes up, Sheru and Chhotu have the best sleepovers. They lie under the banyan tree, counting stars and telling stories.
“Goodnight, tiny friend,” yawns Sheru.
“Goodnight, big friend,” squeaks Chhotu.
And they fall asleep with happy smiles, because the best dreams come when you have a friend nearby.
