“But it’s not my fault”,

cried the mouse in dismay,

“I though I knew where I was

but appear to have lost my way”

 

Sat at the foot of my bed

with his hands under his head,

he tried through his tears

to relate what is here.

 

                  *

 

I set out early this morn

after nibbling on some corn

for my breakfast, on the cob is best.

I was raring to go

to ‘The Great Mouse Show’,

a long walk but not one to miss.

 

With my stout trusty stick

and my coat good and thick,

I set out on the long winding road.

It was a lovely quiet day

and not many passed my way

except a snail and a croaky black toad

 

The sun was rising

and warming the fields,

no clouds, just some bee's and a fly.

A warm gentle breeze

blowing soft through the trees,

a day that warms your heart with a sigh.

 

The going was tough

for the ground was quite rough

and soon I cried out loud!

I’d stubbed my big toe

on a large round stone,

for the field was all freshly ploughed.

 

The furrows once high

and then very low,

enough to make a grown mouse squeak!

But I tucked in my tail

and continued my toil,

well the show was only on for one week!

 

After long hours of drudge,

aching back and tender feet,

I decided no further can I go.

Well I'm only a mouse

and despite what you've heard,

Our legs are quite small you know!

 

With a weary old sigh

off to one side I did saw

a nice bit of shade neath a tree

so I hobbled across

and settled right down

saying, “This will do for me!”

 

After quenching my thirst

with some juice I had brought,

I felt my little nose start to hum.

With a weary old sigh

I got up from the ground

and discovered I’d caught the sun!

 

Without further ado

I continued my trek

to a hedgerow at the end of the field.

I must be nearly there,

well if not, then half way,

to myself I despairingly appealed.

 

I continued to walk

along the edge of the road

past many a house and nice bush.

I sauntered along

and was humming a tune,

I'll be there very soon, no more fuss.

 

But with time marching on

I went for the bus

and stood at the stop in a line.

Before very long

with a familiar song,

the bus came along with a whine.

 

I boarded and sat

with my tired achy feet

and decide to massage and squeeze

but I jumped from my skin

with a terrified squeak

as the woman behind gave a sneeze!

 

She cried, “It's no good!”

from under her hankie,

“I'm allergic to mice, dogs and cats”.

“Which ones?” I enquired.

“Conkers!” she cried,

“And anyway my cottage is thatched!”

 

Well with that I dismayed

and headed for the door

trying hard but just couldn't believe

what the lady had said,

“She's as daft as a bird!”

I exclaimed feeling now quite relieved.

 

“We'll have less of that!”

said a Crow who was perched

on a lamppost and looking all pleased.

I said, “Perhaps it's time,

yes I’m certain it is,

that I took, from you, my leave.”

 

But just never mind

for looking ahead,

I cried with a heart full of glee!

For just over the fence

at the end of the lane

was the end of the road for me.

 

Bustling with people

beneath a tall old oak

was the event I had dreamed of for days,

with stalls in abundance

big food laden tables

and cakes on pretty pink trays.

 

But my joy was short-lived

as I noticed a sign,

above a gate with the entrance below.

I read in confusion,

it must be an illusion

for the sign read 'The Great MOOSE Show

 

Well I turned around

in amazed disbelief,

shook my head and trundled away,

shed a tear from my eye

and just couldn't believe,

it had certainly ruined my day.

 

With my head hanging low

I decided to go,

but to where I asked with tired eyes.

So I aimed myself east

and said well at least

a full moon is high in the sky.

 

Now before very long

I came upon a house

with a door that was slightly ajar,

I quietly crept in

and listened and then

heard you snoring up the tall stairs.

 

And so here I am,

waking up on your bed

with my spirits beginning to rise,

telling my tale

to you my dear friend

with a twinkle of mirth in your eyes.

 

But alas I must leave

for there is still far to go

and my wife will be wondering where,

I should have been home

tucked up nicely in bed

and dreaming without any care.

 

So thanks for your help,

your ears and your smile

but now I must bid you farewell,

I may again pass this way

on a nice sunny day

with my wife and children as well.

 

But before that bright day

and not a moment too soon,

I'm going to up-grade my glasses

with a powerful zoom!

 

 

Written by Darren Scanlon, September 2010.

Revised on 18th June 2015.

©2015 Darren Scanlon. All rights reserved.