Castle McToot and a New Friend

Meet nine little mice who travel the land.

Collectively called The Bongo Mouse Band.

There’s Bongo, Keys, Tupper, Tich & Tina,

And Sachmo, Twangy, Quiffy, Fiddlina.

They’re making their name wherever they go

With their own impromptu mousical show.

Monty Snuffles drove the new bus.

He drove it with pride and minimum fuss.

He stopped now and then to wind up the key,

And the band all got off. They wanted to see

All the sights as they trundled along.

Then back on the bus with a Bongoly song.

Their first trip out was a very long way.

It took them almost the entire day.

They travelled through mountains, lots of grass,

Looked at lakes, and watched cows go passed.

As it got dark Monty looked for a place

Where they’d spend the night. He slowed the pace

Of the Bongo bus, so the mice could see

Where a nice place to spend the night would be.

They came to a castle with lakes and a wood.

‘This is nice.’ Said Bongo.  ‘It might be good’

The mice all got off and looked at the view.

They looked at the castle. ‘I wonder who

Lives here,’ Said Keys, and knocked on the door.

Then gently pushed it with a quizzical paw.

‘Hello!’ he shouted. ‘Anyone here?’

Then they heard a noise, really quite queer.

‘Listen,’ said Sax. ‘What on earth is that sound?’

And the mice all stopped and listened around.

A dance tune was playing but what had they heard?

They all stood and listened, not saying a word.

They looked round the room, and all that they saw

Ornaments and armour on a plinth on the floor.

They all looked around at the bits on display.

Some books and vases and things on a tray.

The trio all went to look at the armour.

Tina was worried in case it might harm her.

She looked at it with a worrisome stare.

‘I hope it’s not real,’ she said and hid

Behind a very large bin with a very large lid.

‘Don’t worry,’ said Tupper, ‘They’ll do you no harm,’

As he tapped at the armour and off fell an arm.

Tich climbed up to get a good look,

And poked at the armour and undid a hook.

The helmet wobbled. ‘Be Careful,’ he said

As the helmet fell off on to poor Sachmo’s head.

Poor Sachmo was stunned and stood terribly quiet.

‘Let’s pull it off.’ Said Bongo. ‘Just try it.’

Keys grabbed the helmet tight on both sides.

The harder he tugged, made Sachmo cross eyed.

‘It’s no use.’ He said.  ‘It’s stuck on there hard.’

‘I know.’ said Fiddlina. ‘We need some lard.’

‘Where can we get some?’ Said Tich looking round.

Then they all stopped short as they heard a sound.

‘Hello’ said a voice. ‘Do you all need a hand?

I’m Hamish McToot and this is my land’

‘So pleased to meet you’ said Quiffy, ‘Our friend

Is in trouble. Could we ask you to lend

Us some lard to help can get him free?’

‘Of course’ Said Hamish. ‘I’ll just go and see.’

Off went the mouse while poor Sachmo sat.

Desperate to be rid of the big metal hat.

‘Here you go,’ said Hamish, and he handed around

Huge glops of lard which they all spread around

The helmet and Sachmo and gave a huge tug,

And out popped his head and he sat on the rug.

‘Are you ok?’ Hamish asked. ‘You look a bit dazed,’

As Sachmo sat, his eyes slightly glazed.

‘He needs a lie down. Let’s get him to bed

He’s had quite a shock with that blow to the head.’

They went up the stairs, down a long corridor

Until Hamish opened a huge wooden door.

‘Bring him in here. The bed’s made up new

And the window affords a wonderful view’.

The mice tucked Sachmo in nice and tight

And hoped that he’d have a very good night.

They all went downstairs with their new found friend,

To leave Sachmo alone to sleep and to mend.

‘You’ll all have to stop over tonight as well.

You’re all tired and hungry. That I can tell’

Hamish showed them all where to sleep,

And before long they were all sleeping deep

And dreaming of tomorrow, adventures anew

With Hamish McToots and his wonderful view.

What will they do when Sachmo is well?

Well only tomorrow and time will tell.