In the wide savanna lived a little lion cub named Richie. Richie had a soft golden mane and big, fluffy paws. He really wanted to be strong.
So Richie tried to roar as loud as he could: "Rrrroar!" But all the animals said, "Hush, Richie! Too noisy!" Richie felt sad.
One day, Richie saw a tiny mouse shivering under a bush. "Why are you scared?" asked Richie softly. The mouse whispered, "A big elephant stomps his feet and breaks my home."
Richie walked over to the elephant. He could have roared, but instead he said quietly, "Elephant, please don't stomp so hard. You frightened a little mouse." The elephant was surprised. "Who?" he rumbled. Richie pointed with his paw. "Over there, under the bush." The elephant looked and saw the tiny mouse. He felt very sorry.
"I'm so sorry, little mouse," boomed the elephant gently. "I didn't mean to scare you." And he carefully stepped over the bush and walked away.
The mouse came out and gazed at Richie. "How did you do that? You didn't roar at all, and he listened!" squeaked the mouse happily. Richie just smiled. He knew that real strength isn't in a loud roar—it's in speaking calmly and protecting those who are small.
From that day on, Richie never shouted. He walked up quietly and helped everyone he could. And all the animals in the savanna knew: the strongest heart is a kind heart.