The bear and the mice

In the woods the bear sat down in the trap. However much he pulled and pulled, he did not get loose. Eventually he fell asleep from exhaustion.
Some mice came by and played and bustled around the bear. The bear woke up and got hold of a mouse that had jumped right on to his nose.
- Let me go, - the mouse pleaded. I did not mean to disturb you. I will reward your kindness if you let me go.
- You are so insignificant, - said the bear, - it does not matter if I eat you up or let you free. Go away you.
So the mouse ran away. Now, she gathered together all her friends and they all began to gnaw the rope of the trap that held the bear down. They worked diligently and creatively and after a while the bear was free.
- You silly teddy bear, - told the mouse, - you thought I was too insignificant. You did not think I would keep my promise. But here you see that a small creature can repay good with plenty of good.
Bear said nothing but walked away ashamed.

And so this is it. There ends the last story about the bears from a great collection of Swedish folk tales, called "Wake not the bear who sleeps" ("Väck inte den björn som sover").