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Printable coloring story · Ages 2–5

The Lion and the Mouse

The familiar fable where a small mouse returns a lion's kindness by freeing him from a rope net.

A lion catches a mouse and lets the little animal go. Later, hunters trap the lion in a rope net, and the mouse returns to gnaw through the ropes. The lion is freed, and both friends learn that kindness can come back to help us.

A 10-page story to read, color, and keep

Read, color, learn

Ten little scenes to read and color.

Read one short sentence, color the scene, then pause for the little fact and question. The pages follow the story in order.

  1. 01Page 1
    Roar the large friendly lion sleeping beneath one broad woodland tree while Pip the tiny mouse runs clearly across the lion's back., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 1

    The Mouse Runs Across the Sleeping Lion

    A lion sleeps beneath a tree while a little mouse runs across his back.

    Little fact

    Lions rest for many hours, while mice can scurry quickly.

    Talk together: Can you spot the tiny mouse crossing the lion's back?

  2. 02Page 2
    Roar awake and gently catching Pip between his large front paws, with Pip safe and unharmed in the woodland clearing., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 2

    The Lion Catches the Mouse

    The lion wakes and gently catches the little mouse between his large paws.

    Little fact

    A lion's paws are large and strong, while a mouse is very small.

    Talk together: Where is the mouse between the lion's paws?

  3. 03Page 3
    Pip standing safely before Roar with both tiny paws raised in a clear pleading gesture while the lion listens thoughtfully., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 3

    The Mouse Begs for Mercy

    The mouse begs for mercy and promises that even a small friend may help someday.

    Little fact

    Mice use their ears and body movements to show what they feel.

    Talk together: Can you show how the mouse asks kindly for mercy?

  4. 04Page 4
    Roar moving his open paw aside to release Pip as the tiny mouse runs freely across the clearing., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 4

    The Lion Lets the Mouse Go

    The lion lets the mouse go, and the little friend runs away free.

    Little fact

    A mouse's small body helps it slip through narrow spaces.

    Talk together: Which way is the mouse running after the lion lets him go?

  5. 05Page 5
    Roar held safely in a large simple rope net while two distant, unarmed hunters hold the net edges; Pip is not present yet., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 5

    Hunters Catch the Lion in a Rope Net

    Later, hunters catch the lion in a large rope net in the woodland.

    Little fact

    A strong rope net can hold a large animal when its knots are tight.

    Talk together: Can you find the large rope net around the lion?

  6. 06Page 6
    Roar alone inside the same rope net, lifting his head and roaring with a few simple curved sound lines above him., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 6

    The Lion Calls for Help

    The lion roars inside the net and calls for help.

    Little fact

    Lions use loud roars to communicate across a forest.

    Talk together: How do you think the lion calls for help?

  7. 07Page 7
    Pip running back toward Roar and the rope net after hearing the lion's call, with the lion looking hopeful; Pip has not started chewing yet., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 7

    The Mouse Comes Back

    The mouse hears the lion's call and comes back to the trapped lion.

    Little fact

    Mice have sensitive ears and can notice distant sounds.

    Talk together: Can you find the mouse coming back to the net?

  8. 08Page 8
    Pip actively gnawing through one thick rope strand beside the trapped lion, with a clean opening in the chewed rope., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 8

    The Mouse Gnaws Through the Ropes

    The mouse gnaws through the rope strands and opens the net.

    Little fact

    Rodent front teeth keep growing, so mice gnaw to wear them down.

    Talk together: Which rope is the mouse gnawing?

  9. 09Page 9
    Roar stepping fully out through a large open section of the loose net while Pip stands proudly beside him in the clearing., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 9

    The Lion Is Free

    The lion steps out through the open net, free at last.

    Little fact

    When the net's ropes open, the lion can move freely again.

    Talk together: What shows that the lion is free?

  10. 10Page 10
    Roar and Pip smiling together after the rescue, with the loose broken rope net resting clearly to one side as a reminder of the mouse's help., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 10

    Kindness Brings New Friends

    The lion and the mouse become friends, proving that kindness can be returned.

    Little fact

    Lions and mice are both mammals, even though they are very different sizes.

    Talk together: How did the mouse help the lion?

Free story book

Print the whole story for a coloring afternoon.

Download all 10 uncolored pages, then read each tiny fact as your child colors from beginning to end.

10 pages · free PDF
Paper size
Page layout
Book language

The cover and picture titles use this language. Some existing prompts and hints teach English and remain in English; read them under “Choose for each picture” before printing.

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