The Flying Mouse: Difference between revisions
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''' 3''' |
''' 3''' |
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They |
They weren't like the messy, mundane mice of the human towns and cities, nor was their hole a nasty smelling one with shredded bits of Kleenex and newspaper for bedding, and a careless jumble of food for a pantry. |
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It was a very comfortable dwelling: wooden floor and woven carpets, a sitting room, a kitchen, a bathroom, bedrooms with bunks and match beds, closets, and several storerooms (each one devoted to a certain food). |
It was a very comfortable dwelling: wooden floor and woven carpets, a sitting room, a kitchen, a bathroom, bedrooms with bunks and match beds, closets, and several storerooms (each one devoted to a certain food). |
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''' 5''' |
''' 5''' |
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Yet Merton (who was the middle child) would often lag behind his assigned tasks. It |
Yet Merton (who was the middle child) would often lag behind his assigned tasks. It wasn't that he didn't like to work or didn't know how to do anything. It was just that things like beetles, ant-hills, fat, fuzzy caterpillars, and bumblebee nests easily distracted Merton. Instead of making himself useful, he would explore or chat with the various meadow and forest people. Sometimes he would play games with them, marbles or cards with tiny beads to serve as poker chips. |
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'''7''' |
'''7''' |
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Merton's parents were annoyed by his expeditions to the fields and woods. They worried about him falling into a hole or being eaten by a hawk or weasel. They also called his intense interest in flying "foolish" and "a waste of time." |
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So worried was the mother about her son that she watched him constantly from the knothole windows. When she was too busy with other things, she asked his older sisters to watch him. |
So worried was the mother about her son that she watched him constantly from the knothole windows. When she was too busy with other things, she asked his older sisters to watch him. |
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''' 8''' |
''' 8''' |
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His sisters also disapproved of his solitary wanderings and attempts at flying. Although they were twins, being about the same size and cinnamon color, they differed in disposition. They also had different solutions for |
His sisters also disapproved of his solitary wanderings and attempts at flying. Although they were twins, being about the same size and cinnamon color, they differed in disposition. They also had different solutions for Merton's follies. |
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Bluebell, the dominant one, was bossy and bad-tempered. She tried to reason with her younger brother with threats and strict lectures on "commonsense" and "proper acting." Anemone, on the other hand, was gentle and good humored. Instead of bullying Merton into behaving, she tried encouraging him toward refined interests—reading some classical literature or going to concerts and stylish plays. |
Bluebell, the dominant one, was bossy and bad-tempered. She tried to reason with her younger brother with threats and strict lectures on "commonsense" and "proper acting." Anemone, on the other hand, was gentle and good humored. Instead of bullying Merton into behaving, she tried encouraging him toward refined interests—reading some classical literature or going to concerts and stylish plays. |
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"What?" said Merton. |
"What?" said Merton. |
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" |
"There's something moving in that big tree over there." |
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They both walked to the tree and peered up at the white object flapping at the top. |
They both walked to the tree and peered up at the white object flapping at the top. |
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"What is it?" Nuttal asked nervously. "A barn owl?" |
"What is it?" Nuttal asked nervously. "A barn owl?" |
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" |
"Don't be silly," Merton replied. "It's just an old kite someone lost. I think I'll go get it." |
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"Why?" |
"Why?" |
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"You know," said Merton. "So I can make it into a pterodactyl glider when we get home." |
"You know," said Merton. "So I can make it into a pterodactyl glider when we get home." |
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His little brother was the only one in his family, whom he felt comfortable discussing his dreams with. Nuttal |
His little brother was the only one in his family, whom he felt comfortable discussing his dreams with. Nuttal didn't argue with him, nor did he call the whole flying thing rubbish or ridiculous. He just wanted to be daring and adventurous as his older brother. |
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"That old thing?" Nuttal exclaimed. "But |
"That old thing?" Nuttal exclaimed. "But it's raggedly-looking, and what if you fall out of the tree? What am I supposed to tell Mom and Dad?" |
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"Ahh, quit your fussing!" Merton grumbled. "I |
"Ahh, quit your fussing!" Merton grumbled. "I won't fall. Mice can climb as good as squirrels." |
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Before Nuttal could say anymore. Merton was scrambling up the trunk and over the lower branches. It took him awhile to reach the limb where the kite string was tangled. Just as he was done untying the cord, a sudden gust of wind came. Instantly, the kite shot straight into the air, pulling the mouse along with it. |
Before Nuttal could say anymore. Merton was scrambling up the trunk and over the lower branches. It took him awhile to reach the limb where the kite string was tangled. Just as he was done untying the cord, a sudden gust of wind came. Instantly, the kite shot straight into the air, pulling the mouse along with it. |
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Since the |
Since the kite's wings were tattered and full of holes, it soon lost strength and he parachuted to earth. To Nuttal's relief and amazement, Merton, though somewhat shaken, was not hurt. After delivering the present to their aunt, they then carried the kite home, hiding it behind some flower pots. |
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'''10''' |
'''10''' |
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They set about repairing the kite, using whatever scrap of cloth or wood they could find. Just looking for enough material made work slow, but two weeks of hard labor resulted in a large glider with a movable harness. Although it |
They set about repairing the kite, using whatever scrap of cloth or wood they could find. Just looking for enough material made work slow, but two weeks of hard labor resulted in a large glider with a movable harness. Although it didn't resemble a pterodactyl, it was better than nothing. For the finishing touches, Merton made himself a reptilian-looking mask and diamond-shaped rudder to fit on his tail. |
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They never found out what happened to the glider until a few days later. Nuttal found the parts in the wood bin, all broken up and useless. The parents had reduced it to firewood. The moment Merton recognized the remains, he began sobbing bitterly. |
They never found out what happened to the glider until a few days later. Nuttal found the parts in the wood bin, all broken up and useless. The parents had reduced it to firewood. The moment Merton recognized the remains, he began sobbing bitterly. |
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Anemone did her best to comfort him, admitting finally that the punishment was a bit harsh. Although she was gracious and kind, she |
Anemone did her best to comfort him, admitting finally that the punishment was a bit harsh. Although she was gracious and kind, she wasn't very sympathetic with his adventurous taste. |
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"Now you listen to me for a bit," said Anemone, firmly. "Remember, |
"Now you listen to me for a bit," said Anemone, firmly. "Remember, you're a mouse! So take my advice, drop all this foolishness for flying and stay right here on the ground. There are plenty of things here to see and do, and it's a good place to be, unlike the sky with its storms and hooked beaks!" |
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'''15''' |
'''15''' |
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Eventually the guests arrived, and the rooms became packed with noisy relatives and neighbors. Poor Merton |
Eventually the guests arrived, and the rooms became packed with noisy relatives and neighbors. Poor Merton wasn't allowed a moment of peace. His sisters and parents were calling him to fetch plates, serve refreshments, and put away the occasional hat or jacket. |
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Finally, he slipped away from his task as butler, and peeked at the |
Finally, he slipped away from his task as butler, and peeked at the guests' many gifts. He almost wept from anger and disappointment, for although the packages were full of treats and trinkets, not one was a great winged kite. |
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Looking up, Merton noticed a bat hanging from a rafter. |
Looking up, Merton noticed a bat hanging from a rafter. |
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" |
"I'm Melinda," said the bat. "Pleased to meet you." |
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"Hello," Merton answered. " |
"Hello," Merton answered. "I'm Merton. What are you doing here away from the party?" |
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"I |
"I don't like parties," Melinda replied. "Too bright and noisy. I like it here where it's dark and quiet." |
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Merton nodded understandably. |
Merton nodded understandably. |
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"So," she said. "What are you doing here all by yourself? |
"So," she said. "What are you doing here all by yourself? Don't you like the party?" |
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"I hate it," he said dismally. |
"I hate it," he said dismally. |
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Then he told her everything. How he and Nuttal found the kite and made a glider from it. How it was all destroyed for firewood before they could test it. Now he was expected to forget his lifelong achievement and stay right here on the ground. |
Then he told her everything. How he and Nuttal found the kite and made a glider from it. How it was all destroyed for firewood before they could test it. Now he was expected to forget his lifelong achievement and stay right here on the ground. |
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" |
"That's terrible," said Melinda. "It must have been a really nice-looking glider." |
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"It was," he sighed. "Where am I going to find another kite? I |
"It was," he sighed. "Where am I going to find another kite? I don't have enough sticks or scraps, and everyone's watching me so I don't get anymore." |
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"Well, you can stop worrying," said Melinda. "I can help you." |
"Well, you can stop worrying," said Melinda. "I can help you." |
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''' 18''' |
''' 18''' |
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From that day on, Merton followed the same routine. Each morning he rose very early and hurried up to the attic. There he would find the parts for the glider- some sticks, a bit of horsehair, a few feathers. These he carefully hid behind an old wooden crate. As his collection grew, he began assembling the pieces together. Since he no longer had his flying books to refer to, he had to rely on his sketchbooks and the |
From that day on, Merton followed the same routine. Each morning he rose very early and hurried up to the attic. There he would find the parts for the glider- some sticks, a bit of horsehair, a few feathers. These he carefully hid behind an old wooden crate. As his collection grew, he began assembling the pieces together. Since he no longer had his flying books to refer to, he had to rely on his sketchbooks and the bat's advice. |
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'''19''' |
'''19''' |
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As a result, the |
As a result, the glider's framework was bat like. However, this difference was hidden away by an outside layering of carefully sewn fabric and feathers. |
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"I suppose I could launch it out the attic window," said Merton, thoughtfully. |
"I suppose I could launch it out the attic window," said Merton, thoughtfully. |
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"Better make that a hill," said Melinda, promptly, "and not just any hill; a steep one to get enough lift. If you just launch it right out of a window, |
"Better make that a hill," said Melinda, promptly, "and not just any hill; a steep one to get enough lift. If you just launch it right out of a window, there's no way of telling what might happen. You might take off, but you're more likely to crash." |
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"Question is," Merton wondered, "how am I going to sneak the glider outside without anyone seeing it?" |
"Question is," Merton wondered, "how am I going to sneak the glider outside without anyone seeing it?" |
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''' 21''' |
''' 21''' |
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Unfortunately, Merton |
Unfortunately, Merton didn't have time to puzzle over this problem; he had to go to school. It wasn't till after he got home, that he finally figured out a solution. He decided that the best thing to do would be to lower the glider out the window by means of a rope and basket. He had no trouble locating a basket. There were several scattered throughout the attic. He chose one that was light and easy to carry. The rope presented a problem, however. It was too heavy and awkward to move. So, he had to make do with a roll of package twine instead. |
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Just as he was walking toward the basket, he found himself thinking about his little brother. |
Just as he was walking toward the basket, he found himself thinking about his little brother. |
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Nuttal deserved the chance of seeing this glider fly, Merton thought. Even though I |
Nuttal deserved the chance of seeing this glider fly, Merton thought. Even though I didn't have his help this time, he gave me plenty of help on the first one. It just wouldn't be right to leave him behind. |
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He went back and found his brother in the sitting room doing homework. |
He went back and found his brother in the sitting room doing homework. |
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When Nuttal heard about this latest project, he was very upset. |
When Nuttal heard about this latest project, he was very upset. |
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"Why |
"Why didn't tell me you were going to make a second glider?" he exclaimed. "I could have helped you get all the stuff like before?" |
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"Shh…keep your voice down!" Merton whispered urgently. "You want the others to hear?" |
"Shh…keep your voice down!" Merton whispered urgently. "You want the others to hear?" |
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"Well, how come you get to have all the fun then?" Nuttal whispered back. "And I get stuck inside having to do crummy chores and multiplication tables?" |
"Well, how come you get to have all the fun then?" Nuttal whispered back. "And I get stuck inside having to do crummy chores and multiplication tables?" |
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"It |
"It wasn't all fun for me," Merton replied, firmly. "Look, I didn't want to get you into more trouble, so I had someone help me instead." |
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"Who?" Nuttal asked suspiciously. |
"Who?" Nuttal asked suspiciously. |
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"Melinda," Merton answered. " |
"Melinda," Merton answered. "She's a bat who lives in the attic." |
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Nuttal frowned as he considered this bit of news. "I |
Nuttal frowned as he considered this bit of news. "I didn't know we had any upstairs neighbors?" |
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"I |
"I didn't know either," said Merton, impatiently. "So, are you coming or not?" |
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Nuttal frowned some more, and then answered. "Okay, |
Nuttal frowned some more, and then answered. "Okay, I'll come, but this better not be a waste of time." |
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" |
"Don't worry," Merton assured him. "It won't." |
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''' 23''' |
''' 23''' |
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As soon as Nuttal saw the finished glider, his eyes lit up. Then he suggested that they should try it out far away from home this time. Merton, with |
As soon as Nuttal saw the finished glider, his eyes lit up. Then he suggested that they should try it out far away from home this time. Merton, with Nuttal's assistance, carried the glider into the hills. It was very difficult for them because of the steep terrain and their really short legs. |
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They clambered along over a narrow rocky path that winded its way through bushes and tall, thick grass. Hearing the rustling of the wind, they shivered and thought of foxes and weasels. |
They clambered along over a narrow rocky path that winded its way through bushes and tall, thick grass. Hearing the rustling of the wind, they shivered and thought of foxes and weasels. |
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''' 25''' |
''' 25''' |
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Back on the ground, Nuttal was pacing back and forth, wringing his ears in despair. " |
Back on the ground, Nuttal was pacing back and forth, wringing his ears in despair. "I've got to think of something!" he mumbled to himself. "I've got to save him, but how? I don't even know where he went!" |
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He thought long and hard and then he remembered something Merton had told him earlier. |
He thought long and hard and then he remembered something Merton had told him earlier. |
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"Of course! Why |
"Of course! Why hadn't he thought of that sooner? The bat, Melinda. |
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Unlike him, she could fly and use echolocation. She might be able to find and save his older brother. |
Unlike him, she could fly and use echolocation. She might be able to find and save his older brother. |
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"Oi! Flying Mouse, you okay back there?" |
"Oi! Flying Mouse, you okay back there?" |
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Trembling and quivering, Merton peered out from beneath the |
Trembling and quivering, Merton peered out from beneath the glider's wings. Peering back was an enormous, bird-like head framed with a blue, flowing mane. Four powerful wings jutted from the monster's massive sides. |
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"A—a-g-g-g-griffin!" Merton stuttered in shock. |
"A—a-g-g-g-griffin!" Merton stuttered in shock. |
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"But you need practice flying that contraption? Is that so?" |
"But you need practice flying that contraption? Is that so?" |
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Again, Merton nodded. "Y-y-yes, |
Again, Merton nodded. "Y-y-yes, that's right," he answered in a small squeak. |
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"And |
"And you're worried about going down like a lead balloon?" |
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"Yes, yes." |
"Yes, yes." |
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"Well, in that case," the Snalleygaster said, "you can stop worrying, |
"Well, in that case," the Snalleygaster said, "you can stop worrying, I'll teach you to fly." |
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"You will? Why?" Merton asked, puzzled. "You look like a carnivore. You probably like to eat little things like me." |
"You will? Why?" Merton asked, puzzled. "You look like a carnivore. You probably like to eat little things like me." |
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The Snalleygaster laughed a ringing laugh. "Eat you? |
The Snalleygaster laughed a ringing laugh. "Eat you? Don't be silly!" she said. "I don't eat mice; I'm a vegetarian. I eat fruit and nuts. And besides, I admire your bravery and ingenuity." |
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"Thanks," said Merton gratefully. "I had help though." And while they hovered there in midair, Merton told the Snalleygaster about the help he got from Nuttal and Melinda. |
"Thanks," said Merton gratefully. "I had help though." And while they hovered there in midair, Merton told the Snalleygaster about the help he got from Nuttal and Melinda. |
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Merton gave the Snalleygaster directions to his home and she soon had it in view, from a height of two thousand feet. The Snalleygaster announced her arrival by going into a steep dive and pulling out, with a tremendous "whoosh" right over the tool shed. She then began a series of barrel rolls while making a loud "oogah" sound, like a lighthouse foghorn. |
Merton gave the Snalleygaster directions to his home and she soon had it in view, from a height of two thousand feet. The Snalleygaster announced her arrival by going into a steep dive and pulling out, with a tremendous "whoosh" right over the tool shed. She then began a series of barrel rolls while making a loud "oogah" sound, like a lighthouse foghorn. |
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Merton's family dashed outside, thinking it was an earthquake or maybe the end of the world. Nuttal and frantically fluttering Melinda followed them shortly. |
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The Snalleygaster made one more circle and landed, against the wind, in the alfalfa field behind the old tool shed. She extended her left wing so Merton could slide down to the ground, still holding on to his kite glider. |
The Snalleygaster made one more circle and landed, against the wind, in the alfalfa field behind the old tool shed. She extended her left wing so Merton could slide down to the ground, still holding on to his kite glider. |
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He walked up to his family and said, " |
He walked up to his family and said, "What's for dinner? I'm really hungry." |
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His mother and father were too astonished to scold him. |
His mother and father were too astonished to scold him. |
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