This story/poem sold to Turtle magazine in 1990.
Melody Mouse
Melody, a small, gray mouse, lived inside a people house along with many mousey others: mother, cousins, sisters, brothers. “To be alert, you must be able. The cat may lurk by chair or table,” her mother told small Melody. “So, exercise; eat carefully.”
Now, exercise, for Melody, was dancing very regularly. Her friends thought exercise a waste and cheese just did not suit their taste. These foolish mice ate cakes and pies. They grew slow, fat, and unwise. But, Melody ate grains and cheese, although her friends would often tease.
One night, the other mice were munching on cakes and cookies, smacking, crunching. They didn’t see the cat come creeping. They thought the Cat was likely sleeping.
When Kitty’s purring came too near, they squeaked with fright, “The cat is here!”
They puffed and panted ‘cross the floor, but were too tired to reach the door. Not knowing what they ought to do, they thought that they were finished, through. But all at once, they heard a tapping–a clicking, ticking, rhythmic rapping.
They gasped and whispered fearfully, “Dear us! Just look at Melody.”
Sure enough, she came a-dancing, fingers snapping, feet a-prancing. The cat just stared. This mouse amazed him. Her daring dancing really dazed him! So, he sat, not thinking twice about the scared, escaping mice.
While her friends ran to their house, this energetic little mouse put on quite a dancing show, while Kitty watched, eyes all aglow.
The mice had missed an awful end, thanks to their brave and healthy friend. They almost were a meal for Cat, and nothing could be worse than that!
They knew that they had not been wise when they refused to exercise. And, so the mice have changed their ways. They learned that being healthy pays. Now, Melody and all the others–all the cousins, sisters, brothers–stay alert and trim and fit and always watch for furry Kit.
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