Long ago, in the Age of Stone, the world was wild and cold. Snow covered the mountains, and large forests stretched across the land. Among the greatest animals of this time was Maku the mammoth, whose long white tusks curved like the moon. Maku was strong and respected, but he was also kind.
One winter morning, while Maku walked near a frozen river, he heard a tiny voice crying. He looked down and saw Tiki the mouse, trapped under a fallen piece of ice. Though Tiki was small, Maku gently lifted the ice with his tusk and freed him.
“Thank you, great mammoth,” said Tiki. “One day, I will help you.”
Maku smiled but thought nothing of it. How could a tiny mouse help a mammoth?
Days later, hunters from a nearby Stone Age tribe set traps across the valley. One deep pit was covered with leaves and snow. Maku stepped forward and suddenly fell inside. He tried to climb out, but the pit was too deep.
The hunters planned to return in the morning.
That night, Tiki the mouse came running. He had seen Maku fall. Using his sharp teeth, Tiki began chewing the ropes that held sharp stones above the pit. One by one, the stones fell, creating a slope. By morning, Maku was able to climb out and escape.
When the sun rose, the hunters found the pit empty.
Maku bowed his head to Tiki. “You saved my life.”
Tiki smiled. “No creature is too small in the Stone Age.”
From that day on, animals learned that strength is not only in size, but in kindness and courage.