Written and illustrated by Carol Lynn,
for Brendon,
in loving memory of Richard B.
Jonathan Frederick Mouseter had frequently heard the poem “The Night Before Christmas”, and particularly noticed the phrase “. . .not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”. He decided this Christmas Eve to see if that saying was actually true. Of course, not realizing the consequences of any actions on his part would mean that a creature was indeed stirring, i.e., himself, a mouse. Nevertheless, he couldn’t resist the urge to scout around the Big People’s house to satisfy his curiosity.
He ventured forth from his tiny mouse house and was amazed to see a whole new world before him. Nothing looked the same. In fact, it was all very different and exceptionally beautiful. The Big People’s home always looked orderly and interesting, but this time it was EXTRA-ordinary. The whole room was aglow with little lights. There were small figurines and miniature ceramic houses decoratively placed about the room. A sweet- smelling pine tree, with its branches covered in lights and ornaments stood tall near the big window.
Jonathan timidly ventured further from his door. He crept all around various items: decorated tins, wrapped gifts, and silky ribbons. As he began feeling braver, he climbed over figurines of Santas, snowmen, angels and even scampered over the tiny village singers.
He finally perched atop a shiny red tin to drink in the splendor of the magnificent display around him. As he sat boldly surveying his surroundings, he began to hear the sound of the Big People’s voices. He also heard noise and music coming from the Big Box they called a T.V. He suddenly sat very still. He might be seen if he dared to move. Mama and Papa Mouster would be very upset! They knew that the Big People might set out more mousetraps if a mouse were to be seen in the house.
Every Christmas Eve his parents had told him and all of their other little mouselings the poem of “. . .not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” They wanted to encourage the little ones to go to sleep early, and not wander off from the safety of their little mouse house. Jonathan was afraid of getting caught, and, most of all, didn’t want to make trouble for his family.
Jonathan climbed down from the tin as quickly and quietly as possible, as soon as he was sure no one was watching. He looked toward a nearby dark corner. No, he couldn’t return home that way; there were too many tiny lights and miniature houses blocking his path. Jonathan decided instead to scamper back in another direction, but he didn’t realize that way was straight toward the open floor space.
Oh, no!!!!
A huge foot stomped right towards him! He couldn’t find a place to hide!
Did the Big Person see him????!!!
He was so frightened that he ran as fast as he could and skittered under the bookcase. From there he found his way to the wall and followed along it hoping to find his way home. Scampering over ribbons and boxes, through lights and around the tins, he finally arrived panting and out of breath at his own tiny mouse door.
He was so relieved!
Jonathan ran straight to his little matchbox bed and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. He was still so anxious about being seen or caught that he was unable to truly fall asleep for a long time. He was also still really excited about having been out on Christmas Eve. Finally, after his little mouse heart quit pumping so fast, he was able to start dozing off.
As he began falling asleep, pictures of all of the beautiful things he had seen in the big house that night filled his imagination. Memories of snowmen, angels and old St. Nick swirled around in his thoughts.
He wondered if perhaps that was the meaning of the poem’s line “. . . .while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads“.
Most of all, he kept remembering the little manger scene with a tiny baby on a bed of straw and the serene lady and man kneeling beside Him. There were sheep, a cow and a donkey. All the tiny figures were even smaller than Jonathan Frederick Mouseter himself.
They had lights all around them and an angel nearby.
Jonathan felt sure that the little manger scene had to be the best “sugarplum“ of all. It had made him feel such peace and awe, just remembering it.
Although he still felt a bit shaky and frightened, it helped him to picture that tiny stable scene over and over again. Before he fell fully asleep, he thanked the Good Lord for letting him see the wonderful sights of that night and for keeping him safe. Now he understood better why it was so important not to stir on Christmas Eve. Especially for someone like himself, just a little mouse.
The End
