Happy New Year!

The band had travelled most of the day.

Off to Hamish and Hogmanay.

All of them in their party best.

Neatly groomed and smartly dressed.

‘We’re here!’ they cried and off they got,

And into the castle like a shot.

The ballroom was decorated wall to wall,

With balloons and streamers in the hall.

‘Yon mice!’ Said Hamish. ‘Here at last.

My, my the time. It does go fast.

We’re almost set. We start at eight.

I can relax now I know you won’t be late.’

‘Who’s that,’ asked Bongo. ‘Over there,’

And pointed to the corner where

Three mice were trying a little dance.

‘Come meet the singers. They’re from France.

Meet Chu, Chim, Choww, the Cheesette girls,’

With glasses, earrings, and with pearls,

They said  ‘I’m Chim.’  ‘I’m Choww.’ ‘I’m Chu.’

‘We’re the Cheesettes. Who are you?’

‘Meet my friends.  The Bongo Mouse band.

They’ve travelled up to lend a hand.

They’re your backing group tonight.

I know them well. They’ll get it right.’

The band and girls then planned the songs

So nothing that night would go wrong.

At eight o clock sharp, guests appeared.

Scriffy took their tickets and steered

Them in the ballroom to their table,

Where every mouse guest then was able

To sit and drink, enjoy a meal,

While they listened to the jolly reel

Played by the band and the Cheesettes.

They’d arranged the music in to sets

And in between the guests played games,

Like mouse piñata, and guessing names.

As midnight started to draw near,

The dance floor slowly started to clear

And Hamish appeared with big long swords,

And laid them out on the big floorboards

Neatly in a criss cross shape.

The band just stood and looked. Agape.

‘Oh Hamish please be careful.’ said Choww.

‘No need to fret. I’ll show you now.’

In walked a mouse in kilt and sporran.

‘Please meet my dancing cousin. Wilt.

Best sword dancer in all the land.’

And Hamish took his pipes in hand

And started to play a Highland fling

While Wilt danced round him in a ring.

Then he danced between each blade

His feet and balance perfectly weighed

As he did a Scottish Sword dance

Which left the mice quite in a trance.

When he finished they cheered and clapped

Until Scriffy got a hammer and tapped

On the table ‘Please one and all,

Join hands in the middle of the hall.

It’s only a few more minutes to go

That’s it. All join hands in a row.’

Everyone counted down out loud,

And midnight came and all the crowd

Shouted out  ‘A Happy new year!’

And gave a great big New Year cheer.

Hamish piped up Auld Lang Syne

As the mice joined hands all in a line,

All singing loud to greet the year

As Sachmo thought ‘What’s that I hear?’

From the lake he heard a roar,

And through the window then he saw

Daisy dancing down in the lake.

He hoped the band might get a break

To see if her mouth had healed ok.

But the band had come up here to play.

Hamish called for silence then

And went to the door on the count of ten.

Monty came through with a lump of coal

He cleared his throat. ‘To every soul

Here tonight, I wish you luck and good cheer

For tonight and for the coming year.’

The guests all cheered, and started dancing

Lots of jigs, and reels and prancing.

The band played on and the party went late.

Oh what a way to celebrate.

The Cheesettes all kept on singing,

The band played on, with Hamish bringing

Punch, and haggis for them to eat,

And ginger cake for something sweet.

The guests eventually left the do.

‘Oh what a wonderful night,’ said Chu

‘I’ve made so many new friends here,’

Said Chim. ‘A good start to the year.

And seeing everyone have such fun.’

As they all looked out at the rising sun.

‘I hope we’ll meet again,’ said Choww

‘Can we get to France somehow?’

Asked Twangy. ‘Well the best way there

Is to go underwater if we dare.’

Said Monty as the mice looked round.

‘There’s a tunnel running underground

That will take us all the way.’

‘We can get there. Oh hooray!’

The band and Cheesettes said farewell

And on the bus they quickly fell.

As the bus drove off the mice could see,

Peeking over a great big tree,

Daisy watching with a grin,

And neatly tied up under her chin,

Sachmo’s hat was fastened tight.

She really was a funny sight.

The band all waved and gave a cheer,

And wish you a Happy Bongo New Year.

A Christmouse Tale

‘Twas Christmouse day and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, except for one mouse.

Fiddlina was up and about with the lark.

She looked out the window to see it still dark.

She wandered downstairs to the kitchen table

Wondering how on earth she’d be able

To get the huge turkey in to roast.

She sat to think and had some toast.

Then she set about stuffing the  bird.

Breadcrumbs and herbs were swiftly stirred,

Then rolled up into neat little rows

Before being stuffed up the parson’s nose.

She looked at the oven, then at the tin.

‘There’s no way that I can get that in!’

She moved the shelves, ‘That won’t do.’

She sat and made herself a brew.

She pondered the problem she had now

And finally hit on exactly how

She could get all the turkey in to cook.

Removing the shelves was all it took,

And tucking the legs in to the bird.

She closed the door and just then heard

A noise as Keys came in to view.

‘Merry Christmouse!’ He said ‘The same to you.’

She made him tea and more fresh toast,

Keys started peeling potatoes to roast.

‘I think I’ll roast them around the bird.

It crisps them well, or so I've heard.’

He diced them up and laid them out

When all of a sudden he heard a shout;

‘Merry Christmouse!’ yelled Twangy, coming through

The door. ‘We've all got so much to do.’

 ‘That turkey smells good,’ and he sniffed the air

As Fiddlina shuffled out of her chair

To check the bird was cooking right.

It was roasting as she’d hoped it might.

She sat back down and looked about

At mice working hard without a doubt.

Keys was still very busy peeling.

His roast potatoes would be appealing.

Twangy then got a huge pan out

And sat about peeling Brussels sprouts.

‘I've never seen so many sprouts.’ He said

As he looked at a pile as high as his head.

‘Merry Christmouse,’ said Bongo at the door

As he appeared to start his Christmouse chore.

He went to a larder and pulled out a sack

Of carrots and dragged it all the way back

To a chair where a pan sat on the floor.

He picked up a peeler in his mouse paw

And started to peel and chop and dice.

Now how many carrots for how many mice?

Tich, Tupper and Tina were all busy too.

Setting  the table: Oh what a to do!

Tupper was laying the cutlery out,

While Tina had place cards scattered about

Trying to work out who would sit where

While Tupper was laying crackers with care.

They all kept getting in the way

Till Tupper went and fetched a tray.

‘Tina, you put your cards on here

To get the seating nice and clear.

Then move the cards on to the table.

Tich, follow me, that way you’re able

To put the crackers on each plate

After me, then we’ll all be straight.’

Sachmo was next to complete his chore.

He dropped the first batch on the floor.

‘Oops,’ he said. ‘I’ll clean the mess.

Maybe next time I’ll make less.’

Making gravy was Sachmo’s job

But it turned in to one big blob.

‘Oh dear,’ he said. ‘A bit too thick,’

And he added water a bit too quick.

‘Sachmo! Keep it in the pan!

The turkeys done so quick as you can.’

All of a sudden a knock at the door

Meant chaos on the kitchen floor.

Fiddlina quickly carved the meat,

While Keys piled potatoes nice and neat.

Twangy took sprouts to the table

While Bongo strained carrots fast as was able.

And as for Sachmo – Oh deary me.

He was wearing most of his thick gravy.

‘Hello,’ said a voice. ‘That does smell good.’

And Monty and Scriffy came and stood

And looked at the magnificent meal.

It really had a Christmouse feel.

The mice pulled crackers as they sat

With silly jokes and party hats.

They ate and talked and laughed and ate

Until all the food was off their plate.

Quiffy stood up. ‘My turn now.’

He came back in. ‘Oh Quiffy. Wow!’

He brought with him a flaming pud.

‘Oh Quiffy that really does look good.’

They each of them had a huge big slice.

When they finished they were very full mice.

Bongo sat back and patted his belly,

Which wobbled like a great big jelly.

‘That really was a most wonderful meal

And it certainly made all of us feel

Full of joy and Christmouse cheer.

In a few days off to see New Year

In with Hamish and Hogmanay.

We’ve had a really wonderful day

To all our readers old and new

A very Merry Christmouse too.’

The Monster of Castle McToot (cont)

We left the mice at Hamish’s lake.

A monster appeared and made them all shake.

What happened? You ask. Well let’s find out.

We left when the monster gave a hearty shout.

The mice all shrieked and went to run off.

Hamish steadied them with a hearty cough.

‘No need to be frightened, She’ll not harm you.

She’s just as curious of all of you too.

Meet Daisy. She just wants to say hello,’

As the monster bent down really low,

click to see a bigger picture>

And looked at all the mice standing near.

‘I say,’ said Keys. ‘Do I see a tear?’

The mice all looked and Daisy looked sad.

‘I think something might be making her bad,’

Said Bongo as they moved closer to see.

‘She doesn’t look happy. What can it be?’

Hamish stopped playing. ‘Can ye tell us what’s wrong?’

And Daisy swooped down (Her neck was quite long)

She looked at the mice with a tear in her eye.

‘What’s wrong?’ Keys asked,’ Can you tell us why

You’re looking so sad? We’ll try to help.’

And with that Daisy gave out a yelp.

As she opened her mouth they could all see

What was making the monster so unhappy.

Between two teeth was a sliver of wood,

Stuck quite fast. They knew that it should

Be taken out to ease her pain

But to pull that out would be a strain.

They had no rope to tie around

And Daisy’s head high off the ground

Made pulling it out all the tougher.

They didn’t like to see her suffer.

Sachmo looked up. ‘I know,’ he said

‘I can get to it if I’m on her head.’

‘Be careful’ yelled Tina as Sachmo got near.

‘Make sure,’ Monty said, ‘you show her no fear.’

Quiffy and Twangy helped get Sachmo on

To Daisy’s tail. It really was long.

‘Climb up her scales,’ Fiddlina cried

And Sachmo climbed up Daisy’s side.

Bongo watched on. ‘Go slowly Sachmo.

You don’t want to slip back down below.’

Daisy turned round and bent her head.

‘Look out! She’s moving!’ Tupper said.

‘Stand still Sachmo!’ the mice all cried

As Daisy turned, mouth opened wide.

Then she stopped. Just looked and waited

As if the monster anticipated

Exactly what Sachmo was up there for.

‘I say. It really does look sore.’

 Sachmo gripped the twig real tight

And he pulled on it with all his might.

‘That’s it Sachmo. It’s coming out.’

And he pulled real hard and gave a shout

As he tumbled off and in to the lake!

The mice all yelled but with a quick shake

Of her head Daisy dived quickly to get

Poor Sachmo out, he was awfully wet.

‘Sachmo well done!’  ‘You’re a hero!’  ‘Brave lad!’

Daisy bent down looking awfully glad.

She smiled at Sachmo and gave him a lick.

The mice all grinned ‘Come on quick.

Let’s get Sachmo dry before he gets Flu.

We know what that’s like. What a to do.’

Sachmo was proud he’d made Daisy better,

Even if he ended up getting wetter

Than she was and really terribly cold.

The mice all thought he was awfully bold.

Hamish picked up his pipes and played

And the mice all danced by the lake and stayed

With Daisy till the moon shone bright,

Then walked back to the castle in the night.

They knew they’d have to leave next day.

‘Why don’t  you come back for Hogmanay?’

Asked Hamish before they went off to bed.

‘Hogmanay? What’s that?’ Bongo said.

‘It’s how we celebrate our New year.

I’ll be having a really big party here

With dancing and singing – I need a band.

You could all come up and lend a hand.

I’ve hired three singers I met in France.

They can sing as you play and we can all dance.’

‘Oh that does sound like fun,’ they agreed

‘I’m sure we can all come back then indeed’

The mice all yawned and went off to sleep

With lots of happy memories  to keep.

Next day they set off home again.

They’d be back. They knew when.

Hamish joined Daisy. They waved them farewell.

They all had lots of tales to tell.

They watched the bus go through the gate

And Hamish looked at Daisy. Wait!

What was that thing upon her head!

‘Oh Daisy! You didn’t!’ Hamish said.

Daisy you are a naughty thing

And Daisy looked with a sheepish grin.

For on her head, a tartan hat.

Left behind when Sachmo sat.

She wanted to keep a memory

Of Sachmo removing a piece of tree.

Just then back on the Bongo bus

Sachmo created such a fuss.

‘Oh no! Where’s my tartan hat!

My head’s quite cold now without that.’

Instead of his hat he had on his head

The twig that was making daisy’s gum red.

‘Now why am I wearing this?’ He thought.

‘I do remember the twig I’d brought

With me as a little keepsake

Of being a hero by the lake.

But where on earth could my nice hat be?’

And he looked upon his piece of tree.

‘I must have left my hat behind.

I know that Hamish is quite kind.

He’ll let us know if he finds it there.

But now my head’s got nothing to wear.’

‘Oh Sachmo you really are a twit.

It’s a good job Fiddlina knows how to knit.’

Don’t worry I’ll make another one,

You can wear it just as soon as it’s done.’

The bus rolled on, the mice all sat

While Sachmo thought of his tartan hat,

And of how he really saved the day.

And stopped a monster feeling grey.

The Monster of Castle McToot

When Sachmo opened his eyes the next day

He went to the window straightaway.

Over the woods the lake shone bright.

No sign of the monster he saw last night.

He rushed to find Hamish ‘What is it Sachmo?

You’re looking quite flushed.’ Sachmo spoke slow.

‘You’ll think I’m mad, but last night I glanced

Out of the window and a monster danced!’

‘The monster of Loch McToot you saw.

‘Monster?‘ Said Sachmo. ‘Please tell me more.’

‘It’s not very often she makes herself seen.’

‘I saw her dancing. She still looked mean.’

‘I wonder if she’ll come out today.

Why don’t we all go down that way.

Gather yon mice. We’ll all go to the lake.

We’ll go for a picnic. A nice little break.’

The mice scuttled round, filling a hamper.

They hurried along with a happy scamper

Gathering, bread, cheese, ham and cake.

Lots of goodies for them to take

Down to the lake to enjoy the view.

(Only Hamish and Sachmo knew

What the mice were likely to see.)

The hamper was filled, a flask full of tea.

They all left the castle, down to the wood.

The view to the lake was awfully good.

The followed Hamish who led the way.

‘Keep to the path. Make sure you don’t stray.’

The mice followed close but soon heard a shout.

They turned around to see feet poking out

Of a hole in the ground, right by a tree.

‘Help!’ yelled Sachmo. ‘I can’t get myself free.’

The lads grabbed on to his long mouse tail

And pulled Sachmo out. He looked quite pale.

‘Oh thank you,’ he said and sat on the ground

As a rabbit popped up. They all looked round.

‘I wanted to see where that rabbit went,

So I followed it but the tree trunk bent

And I tripped and fell and got quite stuck.’

‘Oh Sachmo, you really have bad luck.’

‘I say,’ said Bongo. ‘What’s that there?

Sticking out of that rabbit’s lair.’

Bongo bent down in front of the hole

And pulled something out, all in a roll.

‘I say,’ said Monty. ‘What can it be?’

‘It looks very much like a map to me,’

‘I wonder if it’s treasure,’ said Keys.

‘Oh let’s go look,’ said Tina. ‘Please.’

‘We can’t look now, Hamish is waiting.

We’ll take it to Scriffy,’ said Monty, debating

Where on earth he could keep the map

And he pushed it quickly under his cap.

The mice ran off to where Hamish stood,

By the lake outside the big wood.

They all sat down. Hamish started to play.

The mice all hummed and started to sway.

Then all of a sudden they all saw a head

Pop out of the water. ‘Look out!’ They said.

But Hamish stood where he was and played

As the mice stood still. Very afraid.

Fiddlina’s hair stood quite on end,

While Quiffy’s quiff started to bend.

Bongo held on to his drums really tight,

While Keys looked on, looking awfully white.

Tich, Tupper and Tina all went to hide

While Monty and Twangy just stood side by side.

All of them watching a monster humungous.

‘ Hamish, don’t let him come here among us!’

The monster looked down with huge big eyes,

Then gave a sniff, and the loudest of cries.

Oh no! That monster’s eyeing the mice!

Is it naughty or is it nice?

Do the mice need to run away?

We’ll find that out another day.