Lionel was a circus lion and the bane of his keeper's existence. Lazy, spoiled, Lionel kept Mr. Toast busy feeding, washing, and tending him until the poor man was hospital-bound. Mr. Toast's salvation and Lionel's redemption is brought about by the keeper's understanding of the true nature of his charge. Outside of the fact that the author's interpretation of the leonine nature--""Lions are nothing but great big babies""--is somewhat debatable, this story should appeal to the child who is, himself, learning responsibility.