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.’