Fiction Short Story

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Fiction Short Story

by Jack Herrmann

Of Mice and Melody

The three young Mouse sisters - Moira, Molly and Muggins - lived in the wall between Beckie's bedroom and her kitchen. They admired Beckie very much because she was kind to all small creatures, and because she liked to sing, and because she dressed so classy.

For weeks now the three Mouse sisters had been emulating Beckie. They practiced being kind. They sewed tiny dresses. They rehearsed their own singing; and they had become quite good at it too. So good in fact, that they had found courage to sneak away to the church four blocks away to practice with the choir. They would hide under the chair of the Lead Soprano and blend their tiny, clear voices with that of the lady who sat above them.

The minister and the conductor and the other people in the choir were amazed at how beautiful the voice of the Lead Soprano had recently become. It was said she sounded like four voices, not just one, like delicate bells all perfectly pitched and all in absolute harmony. It was said to be "miraculous!"

At 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve the three Mouse sisters began preparing themselves for the most special evening of the year - the church concert of carols. They fussed with their neck-bows getting them precisely right. They also helped each other trim their whiskers correctly and smooth their fur properly so Becky would be proud of them if she were to see them.

At 6:00 PM they happily set out for the church hoping that perhaps (if they were lucky enough) Beckie would be in the congregation to hear them sing; for each agreed they would sing this night for Beckie alone. With this in mind the little mice-girls skipped along, tuning their tiny vocal cords as they went.

At 6:05 PM they rounded the corner at the end of the block and bumped into Fred the cat, which had not had a morsel to eat in over a week. The three little mice squeaked in terror and Moira ran left and was squashed by Fred's hind foot. Molly ran right and was speared by a claw on Fred's front paw. Muggins froze in absolute terror and was bitten in half.

In a fraction of a second it was all over. A starving Fred wasted no time in toying with his supper (as he usually was given to do) and before the three tiny squeaks could join in harmony, Fred walked away -- full and thankful, meowing to himself, "Ah yes, there is indeed a Santa." Of course, the souls of the three Mouse sisters -- having no liking whatsoever of cat tummies -- departed the little bodies the instant this trouble began. They floated upwards tearfully complaining that now they couldn't sing for Beckie.

They were met quite soon by angels who helped them straighten their gossamer dresses and re-tie their spiritual bows and smooth down the rumples in their ethereal fur to comfort them and ease the shock of their upsetting experience.

Then God said to them, "Welcome to Heaven, little people. I'm sorry I had to call you before you were able to sing in church; but I needed you now to help my angels in their own choir. This is a very important night because the "Concert of Heavenly Souls" is happening. The choir is badly in need of bell-voices and the fine, tight harmonic achievement you three have so wonderfully developed. So please, sing for me!" Which they did:

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Beckie picking at her toes.
Although its been said
Many times, many ways,
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas...
dear Beckie
We-ee Lo-uh-ve You-ou-ou!"

And the Heavenly Choir above was marvelously fulfilled, as it had never been before. Yet, far below, the Lead Soprano sounded quite ordinarily thin. Still, no one noticed, for the earthbound choir somehow seemed "enhanced." And, for some strange reason too, Beckie felt warm — and loved — and so very happy.

And Moira and Molly and Muggins knew it.

(c) Copyright, Jack Herrmann, 1998, 2002

Now retired, Jack Herrmann lives in Tsawwassen, BC with his wife, Sandie. He spends his time writing odd things, poking his nose where it doesn't belong, riding his scooter terrorizing motorists and small dogs and longing for the Alberta ranch lands.