Percy Packrat’s Easter Star

By Ladybug

What is Percy doing to the Jones’ cat, Samantha? He is tying a red balloon to sleeping Samantha’s tail. Percy quickly hides behind a book on the bookcase to see Samantha’s reaction. Upon awakening, Samantha runs around in circles, trying to catch the balloon. Hearing Percy’s giggles, she realizes she’s been fooled again. Samantha chases him into the mouse hole, but Percy’s too quick for her! Percy sticks out his tongue and says, “Better luck next time.”

It’s supper time. Quick as a flash, Percy is out of the mouse hole. He returns, pushing a green grape across the floor with each paw and clenching another between his teeth. Momma mouse claps her paws in delight, saying, “Goodie. We’ll have grapes for dessert.” Poppa mouse looks disgusted, shrugs his shoulders and returns to the book he is reading.

Poppa wishes his son would behave like a regular mouse instead of gathering objects from the Jones family. Momma mouse enjoys helping Percy fashion furniture from different objects. Her favourite was the sardine tin bathtub.

The next morning, Momma sent Percy to get some fabric scraps from Mrs Jones’ sewing basket. Mrs Jones was the neighbourhood seamstress. Mr Jones was a retired sheriff. Percy returned with scraps of pink checked and blue denim fabric, as well as some white lace trim. Momma made a lace-trimmed, pink-checked apron and a blue tobacco pouch. These were gifts to thank the Jones’ for the objects taken by Percy.

When Momma finished sewing them, Percy laid them on Mrs Jones’s favourite chair. Later that evening, Mrs Jones decided to finish sewing the christening gown for her neighbour’s newborn daughter. She discovered the gifts on her chair and wondered who had sewn them. The delicate stitches were the most beautiful she had ever seen.

A spool of thread fell from Mrs Jones’s lap, rolling across the floor. It ended up half in and half out of the mouse hole. Bending to retrieve the thread, Mrs Jones noticed a peculiar arch in the corner wall. She went to get a flashlight and looked inside the mouse hole. She discovered a mouse family sleeping in tiny beds. Around the room were small pieces of furniture fashioned from objects, missing from their home for months. Now Mrs Jones knew who had made the gifts.

She taped a note next to the mouse hole, which read:

Thank you for the gifts.

Will you and your family

Join us for Easter dinner?

Mrs Jones

Percy brought the note to his Mother, saying, “I wonder who wrote this?” Momma allowed her son to read the note aloud. The mouse family talked it over and decided to accept the invitation. Percy left a note on Mrs Jones’ chair……………………………

We would love to come for Easter dinner. I will bring a jar of my grape jam.

Millie Mouse

Spring had arrived. Flowers were blooming in hues of pink, yellow and blue. The sun was beaming in golden yellow rays.  Easter had finally arrived. Mrs Jones had purchased a toy tea set for the mouse family’s meal.

Percy’s family was busy getting dressed in their best clothes. Momma wore a lacey pink dress. Percy and Poppa had black knit pants and white shirts. They also wore black bow ties. Two-year-old Gus wore a sailor suit. Suddenly, one of Poppa’s suspenders broke. Percy told his father, “Hold on, Daddy. I know what to do.” Quickly, Percy was out of the mouse hole, returning minutes later with a safety pin to re-attach Poppa’s suspender. This was a day of thankfulness.

Poppa hugged Percy, saying, “I guess a packrat has some good points.”

The mouse family admired the table in front of them. It was covered with a white lace tablecloth. Candlelight flickered, adding a festive touch to the delicious meal. The toy plates were piled high with ham, dressing and corn. There were cups of tea. They finished the meal with strawberry shortcake and spoons of Momma Mouse’s grape jam. Everyone chattered merrily, getting to know each other.

The Easter meal was over. Percy and his family decorated their mouse hole for Easter. It was beautiful, but something was missing. Percy ran out of the mouse hole, returning with one of Mr Jones’ badges for the Easter tree top. The tree was decorated with coloured plastic eggs and chicks. The sheriff’s badge was placed on top. Suddenly, a flash of light shone on the tree. The Jones’ called into the mouse hole, “Happy Easter, everyone!”

- Total nr. of readings: 222 Copyright © The author [2020] All Rights Reserved. This story may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the author except for personal use.