Bellamouse—Queen of the Lonely Mountain Mischief
by
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Queen Bellamouse was apologizing to the members of her nest for her inability to provide for them. “We had some very good times when the human man was here. He called himself Uncle Jack and he always called me Winifred. He didn’t know I was a Queen of such a large mischief. Uncle Jack has been gone now for a long time. Food is scarce and I am getting old. Your King Stumplemouse is older yet and has asked me to speak for him. His message is this “scatter, find new homes, and create your own mischief's.” There was a lot of chittering and then as one the nest looked at the available stores: four peanuts, a stale crust of bread and four shriveled indescribable berries. Some bowed to the Queen, some saluted the King, some just waved, but all left.
Alone, Bellamouse and Stumplemouse shed their raiment’s and went to their nest behind the kitchen cabinet. Days later, the food was gone and grim, they saw their fate approaching “Well said Stumplemouse there’s always pine cones. Granted, they were never my favorite but they would keep us going.”
Just then, the cabin shook and the silent void was filled with human voices and the thump of footsteps. The creaking floorboards gave testament to cartons, sacks and bundles, one above the other being put in place. One voice was gruff the other non-committal. Above all this noise and activity was the aroma of raisins, nuts and cheese. Bellamouse and Stumplemouse did a silent dance least they be heard.
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About the Book
Queen Bellamouse and King Stumplemouse and their large and happy mischief face a dismal future with just a few morsels left for food. After dismissing members of their nest because they cannot provide for them, Bellamouse and Stumplemouse huddle together behind a cabinet in the cabin they call home and wait for their fate. But just then, the cabin shakes with the thump of footsteps. Everything is about to change for the two frightened mice.
As the musty silence is filled with human voices and the aroma of raisins, nuts, and cheese, Bellamouse and Stumplemouse quietly dance in celebration, for they know they are about to be saved by food, glorious food. But what they do not know is that the hermit who occupies the cabin has decided that being alone is not so great after all. When he tempts Bellamouse with a bit of peanut butter, befriends the mice, and names them Mildred and Stump, all three discover an unlikely friendship that provides them with more than they ever imagined.
In this delightful children’s tale, two hungry mice and a lonely hermit form a little community where they all learn the true meaning of family and the joy of caring for others.
About the Author
Bob Battersby is the author of the book of prose The Gardener at Sea and Other Tales, the novel Babylon, DD4 and the Dancing Nun, and the children’s book Pete the Cat and Calico Joe. He lives in Mill Valley, California.