Peter the Mouse
This is the story of a mouse who got into rather a lot of trouble.
Once upon a time, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse, of 23 Mousely Way, had a baby who they called Peter. "We shall name him after my father," said Mr. Mouse, as he gazed into the crib, and Mrs. Mouse agreed because her husband's father had been brave and bold.
Mr. and Mrs. Mouse were very proud of their son, and soon realised that he was the cleverest mouse in all the land. "He can count to twelve, and knows all the colours of the rainbow!" said Mrs. Mouse.
After a great many years, Peter grew big and strong. Mr. and Mrs. Mouse gave their son a great big hug, and sent him off to nearby Mouse University. Peter studied day and night, night and day, and soon he knew everything there was to know. The head of the professors was very impressed.
"Come work for me, Peter," said the head of the professors. "You are the cleverest mouse I have ever seen." So Peter started to work at Mouse University, teaching the students all he knew.
"A cat has nine lives," he said to his class one day, "But mice only have one. That is why a mouse must always be careful as he goes about his day."
Eventually, the head of the professors decided that Peter should be his assistant head. “You are the brightest and bravest mouse in all the land," said the head of the professors, “I can think of no-one better to take this job.”
And so he did.
One day, Peter was sitting in his office when a knock came on the door. "Come in," said Peter, who would never stand on ceremony. Behind the door stood Mrs. Hamster, looking very worried. "Oh, Professor Mouse," she said, "You have an invitation! Professor Tabby would like you to lecture at Cat University!"
Mrs. Hamster was afraid, but Peter was not. "Fear not, Mrs. Hamster," he laughed, "I shall go to see the Professor this very day!"
After a very filling lunch, Peter set off down the road. "But the cats will eat you!" cried his students, following along, "They have nine lives, and you have but one!" Peter was very proud. "You have remembered what I taught you," he said, "But my grandfather was brave and bold, and so am I," and on he marched.
"I can outwit any cat I see," he said.
After a long walk, Peter arrived at the gates of Cat University. "Let me in, for I am the bravest mouse in all the land," he said, "And I am here to see Professor Tabby!" The gates opened, and through he walked, swinging his arms from side to side.
Inside the great hall, Peter met a small black and white cat. "Professor Tabby, I presume. I am Peter Mouse," he said, and bowed. But the cat did not do the same. Instead, it licked its lips and looked him up and down. "You have been tricked, Professor Mouse," said the cat, as it removed its monocle. All of a sudden, Peter did not feel very brave at all.
"While you were here, the other cats have been to Mouse Town. They have eaten all your friends, as I am going to eat you!"
Peter jumped, and quick as a wink, he disappeared into the darkness.
"Where have you gone?" called the cat as he crawled across the hall. "I will catch you, Peter Mouse!" But Peter had vanished. In fact, he was already running back along the road.
"What good luck I remembered that open window!" he thought.
At last, Peter got back to Mouse Town, but nobody else was there. "Hello?" called Peter, "Is there anyone there?" But there was not. "Oh no," he thought, "I have let the cats trick me, and all my friends have been eaten!" Peter was so sad that he cried all the way back to Mouse University. “Mother, and father, even poor Mrs. Hamster," he sobbed, "All gone."
But then, he heard a noise over his head. Above the way in to his office, there hung a string attached to the attic door. He reached up, and with a mighty tug, pulled the door open.
"Mother!" he cried.
"Ouch!"
"Father!"
"Oof!"
"Mrs. Hamster!"
"Squeak!"
All at once, two dozen mice fell down on top of Peter, knocking him to the floor. His friends from the town, and even his students were there.
"I thought you had been eaten!" he cried, "How did you escape the cats?"
"A mouse must always be careful as he goes about his day," laughed the head of the professors, "And so your students helped us hide when we saw the cats arrive."
"They found the town empty, and so went home hungry," said Peter's father, and Peter was glad.
“I have learned a lesson today,” said Peter as he helped his mother off the floor. “It is important to be brave, but far more important to be clever.”
And all the mice cheered.
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