The lion disturbed by mice who eat the food trapped in his aging teeth, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifteenth Night

The work, titled The lion disturbed by mice who eat the food trapped in his aging teeth, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifteenth Night, is a painted composition that portrays a large feline reclining on a rocky ledge. Behind the animal a solitary tree and a body of water extend into the distance, creating a tranquil landscape setting.

Executed with a palette that balances warm pink‑white rocks, cool blues of water, and the vivid orange of the lion’s coat, the painting employs layered brushwork to convey depth. The composition guides the eye from the foreground animal to the receding landscape, while subtle tonal shifts generate a calm, atmospheric mood.

Within the broader tradition of illustrated storytelling, the painting reflects the Persian‑influenced miniature aesthetic that often combined animal allegory with moral instruction. The serene natural backdrop aligns with the genre’s tendency to situate didactic scenes within idealized, harmonious environments.

Although the work is not widely cited in major art historical surveys, it remains an example of narrative painting that merges literary content with visual representation, illustrating how animal motifs were employed to convey philosophical reflections in pre‑modern manuscript art.