Clarence the Handsome Mouse

8/9/2019 Clarence the Handsome Mouse

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Clarence the Handsome Mouse

Not long ago, in a little village north of London there

lived a very handsome mouse named Clarence. Of

course, for you and me deciding if one mouse is more

handsome than another is very difficult, but within

the little village all the mice agreed that Clarence was

indeed the most handsome mouse they had everseen. None was more convinced of how handsome

he was than Clarence himself. Everyday he could be

seen strutting around the little village with his tail in

the air, his ears groomed back and his whiskers


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pointing right and left in perfect form proclaiming

just how handsome he was.

One day as Clarence was parading around the town,allowing everyone to admire just how handsome he

was, he came upon a rat; a stranger from the town of

London.

"Just who are you supposed to be mouse?"

questioned the rat as he gazed at Clarence.

"I am Clarence of course. And who are you that you

have never heard of me?"

"I'm Herbert just round from London. Why should I

have heard of you Clarence?" the rat answered with a

snarl that only rats can make.

"Because, Herbert I am the most handsome mouse

that has ever lived and all envy me that is why."

Clarence raised his tail to its full height and pointed

his nose to the sky taking his most handsome stance.

Of course, even in this stance he was still less than

half the height of the rat and perhaps one-tenth thesize.

"Why of course you are" grinned the sly rat, "how

could I not have recognized the handsome tail and the


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smooth ears. Why you are the famous Clarence that

all of London is talking about." Obviously the rat

was mocking Clarence, but Clarence was so vain he

could he did not bother to consider that the rat mightbe planning something.

"Truly?" questioned Clarence. "They know of me as

far away as London?"

"Of course" replied the rat. "Why you are the talk of

the town. All the male mice are jealous of you and

hope you will never come to London, but all the

female mice swoon at the mention of your name. If

you were there they would all be rushing to see you,

giving you gifts and appreciating you much more

than these poor village mice could ever do."

While Clarence considered these things, Herbert the

rat slinked around Clarence, first this way and then

that whipping his awful rat tail round about and

smelling of rotted vegetables and sour milk. Still,

Clarence was so enthralled with what the rat had said

he did not seem to notice at all.


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2

The more Herbert thought about Clarence the smaller

his eyes seemed to become until they looked like tiny

glowing red dots focused on Clarence.

My dear fellow, Herbert began rising to his full

height so that he towered over Clarence, I am at

your service. With that, the rat folded over in a long

drawn out bow until his oily black rat nose nearly

touched Clarences toes. Perhaps I might suggest an

opportunity for someone as handsome as you are

The rats voice trailed off into kind of a breathy hiss

and his mouth twisted up on one side and down onthe other. Clarence was, of course, oblivious to all of

this as he soaked up the fake praises that Herbert

poured.

Well Herbert, you seem to be well traveled and very

wise, what would you suggest? Of course, Clarence

knew what he wanted Herbert to suggest and Herbertclearly understood what Clarence wanted to hear.

This was too easy.


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A mouse as handsome as you should be appreciated

by a larger audience than this small village. After all,

you have a special gift that should be shared with the

world. Yesthats it, you have been blessed with aspecial gift and it iswell it is your duty to share it.

Clarence was very excited about the prospect of

getting out of this tiny village. Of course, Herbert

was right and Clarence had always known it.

Certainly, the world needed to appreciate him. He

was doing a great disservice to them by keeping all

this handsomeness to himself. So what do you

recommend?

The rat sucked in a deep breath and rubbed his oily

rat hands together at the thought of how well this was

going. What about a journey to London? Herberttried to contain his excitement. I have many fine

friends that would be quite anxious to meet you and

show you about. However, under his breath Herbert

whispered with all the evil that was in him and have

you over for dinner too.

Excellent, cried Clarence. Come to my homewhile I prepare for our journey.

Of course Clarence, if you think this is a good idea.

Perhaps you have a friend or two you might like to


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take along? Herbert was expanding his wicked

scheme.


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3

Clarence turned and headed for his house, though it

was not exactly a house as you and I would know

one, for mice live in small spaces, under houses, in

fields, in walls and sometimes in your furniture.

Although Clarence lived in a very small village, he

had a very fine house under the tailor shop near the

center of the village.

Clarence scurried down the edge of the dusty street,

under the iron step near the bakery, across the fence

that bordered the widow McCalls garden and across

the fine brick walkway that lead to the Parish. Justbeyond the green and Paddys tavern was the tailor

shop. It had a fine brass doorplate and steps made of

stone. As the ground had settled from the many finely

dressed men and women entering the shop, it had

created a gap and it was through the gap where

Clarence lived.

While Clarence may have scurried, Herbert plodded

along as best he could trying to keep up with the agile

little mouse. Herbert could not easily squeeze into

the same spaces as Clarence and had a terrible time


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navigating the top of the fence along the widows

garden. When he arrived at the tailor shop, it was all

he could do to squeeze his oily dirty body through the

gap and into Clarences tiny house.

Clarence had several pieces of very nice fabric that

he used for a bed, and a box used for matches that

was full of breadcrumbs and bits of cheese. Mr.

Frumpish, who owned the tailor shop, was a messy

eater so there was always plenty for Clarence, though

he seldom shared with any of his friends. In fact,

Clarence really did not have any friends to speak of.

Most of the mice in the village thought he was

handsome, but not very friendly or helpful so they

kept their distance admiring him from afar. That was

just fine with Clarence. After all, all friends want is

your help for this or that, or to borrow something orto eat your food. They were just too much trouble.

Herbert eyed the food in the box. Clarence, as I

have traveled a long way and have missed my

morning meal, perhaps you could share some of you

ample food store with me. Herbert was already near

his box of food.

Well, I suppose so, replied Clarence although he

did not sound like he meant it, which he did not.

You may have some if you like.


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Before Clarence got the words out of his mouth,

Herbert had gobbled down all the crumbs and bits of

cheese in the box and was wiping the drool from hismouth with his dingy paws. Excellent meal

Clarence, excellent Herbert said making a belching

sound and sniffing about the room. Are you ready

to go?

Yes I believe I am, said Clarence, washing his feet

and nose in a thimble of water that he filled each day

from the downspout at the corner of the shop. Let

us be on our way to London.

So the two of them left the little village, Herbert was

leading the way and Clarence followed close behind.


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4

The trip to London was much longer than Clarence

had expected. Of course, Clarence was only a

country mouse from a small village and had no idea

just how big the world was beyond the end of Mr.

Staffords field. In fact, when they crossed the first

brook, Clarence was convinced he had made it to the

Atlantic Ocean and surely, they would see the new

world next.

Herbert, rat that he was, was very experienced in the

ways of the world, and the means of travel best suitedfor his general class of travel. They had been moving

along a dusty road, staying to the scrub grass on its

side during the day, and in the wheel ruts left by

wagons at night. Rats are by nature nocturnal

animals, so travel by night suited Herbert. Clarence

on the other hand, being a village mouse liked to be

out during the day and asleep in his own bed at night.As a compromise, Herbert traveled in the early

morning, slept during the middle of the day, then

traveled again in the evening and early night,

sleeping again after midnight.


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They had been traveling for nearly four days when

Herbert raised his great greasy body into the air and

began to sniff wildly. Do you smell that Clarenceold boy, he asked?

Clarence could not smell anything different. Being

so close to a well-traveled road all he could smell

was horse droppings, the stench of humans and an

occasional patch of wild flowers that somehow made

it all just tolerable. Sorry Herbert cant smell a

thing down here. What do you think it could be?

Ill tell you friend Clarence, it is the smell of

opportunity. Yes sir, opportunity awaits us just

around the bend. With that, Herbert dropped to all

fours and was off on a trot. While Herbert was notexceptionally fast, he was much larger than Clarence

and as such had a much greater stride as he galloped

away. It was all Clarence could do to keep up.

Herberts great black form would rise up out of the

grass, and then disappear only to rise up again a

distance further ahead.

Slow down, called Clarence. You must give me

time to catch up.


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As Clarence ran, he caught himself on a thorn. The

sudden pain brought him to a quick stop. The thorn

was caught in the top of his left thigh, and it was very

painful. But worse than that was the thought that hewould be left there alone unable to catch up to

Herbert. Clarence took a deep breath, drew all the

strength he had and pulled as hard as he could. Just

when the thought he would die from the pain he was

suddenly free, but not without a cost. On the top of

his thigh was now a gash plus the flesh that was

pulled also pulled out a sizeable chunk of fur as well.

Oh no, cried Clarence, look at my beautiful fur.

How can this be? Oh what will I do, I am ruined.

As Clarence called, out Herbert rushed back to see

what had happened. When he saw the scratch on the

little mouse and the missing fur, he smiled to himself.

Friend, what is the problem? We must make haste

and I am sure we do not have much time. Herbert

was whipping his awful hairless tail back and forth in

the grass.

Cant you see? cried Clarence. I am maimed, Iam ruined. I have damaged my beautiful fur coat. I

am hideous.


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Not to worry there Clarence, why it makes you look

more viral, tough and strong. Why you can tell all

those lovely mice in London how you were pursued

by wild beasts and how you battled them and escapedby the smallest of margins and one of them snapped

his jaws so close he took the very fur from your leg.

Herbert grinned a toothy grin with yellow teeth that

had something brown or black on them.

How could I Herbert that would be a lie? Clarence

protested.

Well now Clarence, we can talk about that later, but

just think about all those lovely ladies waiting to see

the most handsome mouse that escaped the jaws of

death. Quite I sight I might think. Herbert turned

and headed back from where he came. QuicklyClarence, there isnt much time.

Clarence looked at his wound and missing fur,

considered what Herbert had said and limped along

following the path in the grass that Herbert was

leaving.


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5

When Clarence finally caught up, Herbert was pacing

first this way then that sizing up the opportunity that

was waiting down at the rivers edge. Looking

beyond the agitated rat, Clarence saw a large flat boat

tied up to a tree at the rivers edge. Sitting along the

side of the boat were several dirty men with their feet

in the water. The longer Clarence stood there the

stronger the odor from the men and the boat became.

It was awful, even worse than the smell from Herbert,

which was at its very best unseemly and at its worst

sickening.

OHWhat is that horrible smell? Clarence

covered his nose and drew back from his position to

stick his head in a patch of daisy blossoms hoping to

hold back the tide of yuk rushing up the hill.

Clarence, Herbert turned to put his arm around themouses shoulder and drew him into his greasy fur.

That is the smell of adventure and opportunity.


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It smells more like rotted vegetables, spoiled meat

and the stench of humans that have not bathed in

years, replied Clarence.

Exactly!! You are quite sharp my friend. We shall

find plenty to eat and an easy passage to London on

this vessel, replied Herbert. Tonight we dine like

kings.

Clarence pondered the rats suggestion that they

would be eating like kings and balanced it against the

pungent odor that surrounded the boat that Herbert

had pointed out was actually a barge. Clarence

decided that if kings ate like this he would much

prefer to be a mouse from a little village living under

a tailor shop. Perhaps this trip was not nearly as

good an idea as it had seemed only days before.Clarence stopped and rubbed the spot on his thigh

torn by the thorn. I hope things are better in

London, Clarence moaned to himself, because they

dont look all that good just now.

Herbert was now near the rivers edge but still in the

tall grass. Not that anyone could see him as the menall appeared to be sleeping. Herbert moved to where

the rope had been tied to the tree and waited for

Clarence to make his way down the hill.


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You must hurry Clarence, Herbert whispered in a

very loud whisper. Of course, the men could not hear

or understand the language of rats or mice. To them

it would have been a long evil hiss, the kind ratsalways seem to make. We must get onto the barge

before the men wake up.

Clarence had heard some very scary stories from his

parents and other mice in the village about places

where they killed mice with poisons and traps. He

had even heard a song that children sang about killing

blind mice and cutting their tails off. It was just too

horrible to think of. Clarence was missing his home

even more now, where he was safe, warm and well

fed.

Herbert had climbed onto the rope and was makinghis way to the boat. Hurry up Clarence, he called

and he walked. Clarence was none to sure about all

this, but he was also sure it was too far to go back

now and Herbert had told him just how wonderful

London would be.

Clarence made his way down the rope toward thebarge, when suddenly the barge moved away from

the shoreline and then back again. The rope went

tight and almost threw Clarence into the air, and then

it went slack and dipped into the water. Clarence did


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not know what to do. Should he let go? Should he

hold on? Clarence was so scared and all he could

think of was being home.

Then, just as quickly as it went into the water, it was

out again. Poor Clarence was covered with the

muddy slime from the river. It was in his ears and

eyes and up his nose. He could barely hear Herbert

telling him to hurry when he wiped his eyes and to

his shock, he saw the men moving about. Worse yet,

one of them was coming right for Clarence.


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6

Quickly Clarence swung round and clung to the

bottom side of the rope, pulling his slimy, wet body

as close to the rope as possible. He stuck his tail

straight out the length of the rope so it could not be

seen and hoped for the best.

The man from the boat took a long step forward and

eyed the rope. He knew he had seen something there,

or at least he thought he had seen something. He

continued to gaze up and down the rope looking for

any hint of activity, but there was none.

Hurry up down there, cried one of the other men.

We need to get moving if we expect to be in London

in the morning.

The man continued to look down the rope while he

reached to his side to get something. Clarence couldsee the mans hand come forward with something

long and shinny. Now normally a country village

mouse like Clarence would not have much first hand

knowledge of the shinny object in the mans hand,


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but not so for Clarence. Clarence had seen the

butcher using one of these, and the baker used one to

cut the bread. But even worse, the woman in the

song used one of these to cut off the tails of the blindmice and to Clarences horror, the man was swinging

a giant knife right at him.

Clarence pulled forward as fast as a mouse could

even as he felt the rush of wind and the blinding light

from the knife reflecting the sun. WOOSH it went,

past his head, brushing the tips of his fur down his

side and slicing through the rope in one motion. One

end of the rope fell slack on the side of the river

while the man grabbed the other end and threw it

onto the smelly rotten heap of garbage on the surface

of the barge. Clarence went flying off the rope,

through the air and landed on some rotting tomatoesand cucumbers.

Well little friend, called Herbert from beneath the

pile of refuse, you were very lucky indeed.

Clarence worked his way out of the tomato and

looked at himself. He was still caked in the riverslime and now rotten tomatoes. As we was about to

adjust to the stench, the slime, and the scar on his leg

he realized that something else was wrong. Carefully

he checked his hands, his feet, and his ears and


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then.OH NO! Clarence was holding on to half

of his tail. The other half had been cut off cleanly

when the man cut the rope to free the boat. Although

it did not hurt much, Clarence was crushed. Insteadof being happy, he was alive and not sliced into equal

pieces, all Clarence could think about was the loss of

half of his lovely tail.

Clarence, I believe you are the luckiest mouse I

have ever known. You escaped the blade of the

knife, have a ride to London and plenty of food for

the journey. You are a great companion to travel

withyes indeed. Herbert put one of his hands on

his hip and with the other pickup a piece of rotting

apple, all brown and wrinkled. Tonight we dine as

the royalty.

Clarence never felt so alone in his life. What had he

done?


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7

Strangely, for Clarence, the stench of the garbage

barge seemed to lessen during the night. He could

not tell if it was because the air was colder or if he

had simply gotten use to the smell. He hoped it was

the first because if he had gotten use to the smell,

perhaps he would never be able to smell wildflowers

again. Herbert on the other hand was as happy as

happy could be. He ate until he could eat no more

making loud belching noises in between his grunts,

teeth grinding and slapping his jaws and lips. As

hungry as Clarence was, he just could not bear to eatthis stuff.

Whats the matter there Clarence, Herbert called

and then belched a long disgusting tone. Dont you

have the stomach for this kind of food? Then he

laughed so hard that he lost his balance and rolled

down the mount of rot and nearly rolled of the barge.Clarence just sat holding his tail and wishing he were

home. He would not even mind helping some of the

other mice in the village with their tasks. Yes, he


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decided. He would be very helpful if he ever got

home again.

The barge meandered down the river all night as themen took turns at the helm steering around river

bends and rocky outcrops here and there. Neither

mice nor rats see very well anyway and they see even

less at night, but Clarence could feel the turns and the

gentle rolling of the waves on the river as the barge

moved through the darkness. With the morning came

a heavy fog that did not seem to bother the men but it

made Clarence feel cold down deep into his bones.

He was afraid to move very far because he could not

see, where the men were or even the edge of the boat

until he nearly fell off.

Something touched Clarences shoulder that madehim nearly jump out of his skin with surprise. Of

course, as it turned out it was only Herbert stretching,

yawning and coming to check on Clarence. So did

you have a good rest? Herbert bent down low and

kind of wiggled his body all the way from the front of

his greasy nose to the end of that awful thick black

tail. Ah well I rested just fine and by mycalculations we should be at our destination by lunch.

Of course we should eat our lunch here since it may

be a while before we get to eat again. With that,

Herbert was off to forage in the mountain of


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decomposing kitchen waste. It made Clarence shiver

just thinking about it.

Still for all the things Herbert was not, apparently hewas a good judge of time and distance for in a few

hours the barge was pulling up to a stone structure

that jutted out from the land and into the water. It

appeared to Clarence that the boat they were on fit

just right against this so it must have been made for

this boat or one very much like it. While the men

threw ropes over the side to tie to the stone structure,

Herbert broke away from his eating to explain to

Clarence what the next step in the adventure would

be.

Here we go Clarence. Do you see that crack in the

wall? The one near the stairs over there, Herbertwas pointing toward a dark spot on the wall.

Clarence could see it but not very well. He suspected

that Herbert could not see it at all and was going from

memory. As I said, mice and rats do not see very

well.

Yes I can see it, though it seems quite a long wayoff and nowhere for us to hide while we make our

way there. Clarence was worried because all he saw

was flat bare stone all the way to the stairs. Not a


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box or log or anything to hide behind. Surely, this

was a very bad idea.

Not to worry friend. Just be ready to run when I sayrun. Got it? Herbert winked his evil eye and

snarled up his nose as he said it which made Clarence

most uncomfortable. Its almost time so get ready.

From somewhere far away a great bell began to

chime. Clarence had often heard the bell of the

Parish in his village when it chimed but this one was

much much louder and the very ground shook as it

rang out. Run, called Herbert as he leaped to the

stone walk and made for the crack.

As if by magic, hundreds, no thousands of rats of all

sizes and shapes began running out of a hundredcracks and crevices along the wall and in the stone

walk. They came from everywhere and each one was

screaming foodfoodfood all charging for the

boat and seeming right at Clarence.

Run Clarence, called Herbert, Run now!!

And so Clarence ran just as hard as he could, down

the thick rope and onto the stone walk. As soon as he

was on the walk dozens of hungry rats buffeted him

left and right so that he did not know where he was


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going. He tried to move forward but they were

pushing him back so quickly he was now on the edge

of the water and would fall in.

As Clarence was about to fall into the water, a hand

reached through the streams of hungry rodents and

pulled him back to safety. Come on Clarence, cant

wait around here, Herbert said as he pulled him

above the other rats. Now stick close.

Sticking close was exactly what Clarence did. He

was not going to wind up a casualty in a rat food

mob. He grabbed onto the end of Herberts tail and

held on for dear life until they entered the crack next

to the stone steps. What a surprise was on the other

side.


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8

Even for a mouse, it took Clarence a few minutes to

adjust to the darkness inside the crack so he stopped

as soon as he was sure the remainder of his tail was

well inside. When his eyes did adjust, he could not

believe what he was seeing. At first, it looked like a

large tube running on forever in both directions. But

as his eyes adjusted, he could see that the tube was

actually made of fine brick and there was a trench

that ran down the center full of water. On either side

of the trench was a wide walkway just perfect for a

mouse, or even a rat to walk quite comfortablythrough the tunnel.

Shapes were moving along the walkways casting

long distorted shadows up the sides of the curved

walls. At first, Clarence could not tell what they

were but then it became very clear. There were

hundreds, maybe thousands of very lean looking ratsmoving along both sides of the watery trench. Every

now and then one would reach into the water and

pick out something, probably to eat, and the others

would go into a frenzy trying to take it from them.


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Then they would all settle down and go back to

looking into the trench again, first here and then

there.

Clarence followed Herbert along the walkway and

could almost feel the glare from the rats as he walked

by. He could hear them mumble about the mouse

going there or Herbert has himself a fine one. He

was not sure what they meant but he was sure it was

not good. Just to think only a few days ago he was in

his warm bed eating fine cheese and feeling quite

safe (and handsome) in his little village. Now he was

limping about in a dark tunnel, surrounded by hungry

rats, missing half a tail and smelling like

decomposing rot and river slime. What had he done?

It seemed they had traveled quite a long time whenthey came to a place were several of the tunnels all

came together to form a large room. The room

seemed to be much brighter than the rest of the

tunnels and as Clarence approached, he could see

why. Far above his head, there was a small opening

to the outside that allowed the sunlight to pass.

Clarence missed the warm sunlight and the villagegreen where he often walked during the summer

days. He was beginning to think he might never see

his village again.


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Look here Clarence, began Herbert, I have some

friends Id like you to meet.

Out of the shadows across the room came twofigures. One was tall and very lean while the other

one pulled himself along on a small cart with wheels.

Hello boys, called Herbert. I want you fellows to

meet my friend Clarence. He has traveled along way

to be with us.

The tall lean rat leaned forward and Clarence noticed

that he had one eye covered with a piece of cloth.

This fellow here is Patch, Herbert pointed to the

lean rat with the covered eye. And this one here,

pointing at the other rat is Bowler; since he has to

roll everywhere he goes. Both rats bowed as bestthey could but neither took their eyes, or in Patchs

case, eye off Clarence.

Bowler was the first to speak. Well Mr. Clarence,

no need to be afraid of ol Bowler. Got caught

under a wagon wheel when I was younger, running

from some dogs. I do alright now.

Patch chimed in yeah, nothing to worry about fella.

We just had some incidents. You know like me. I

lost this here eye jumping off a sinking boat. Seems


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some hungry fish liked young rat, but I got away

cleanalmost clean anyway. Patch rubbed the

piece of cloth covering the missing eye.

Yes, well boys, Herbert drew Clarence close to his

side and patted him on the head. Clarence here is

going to be with us for a while. Hell be with us for

dinner later. All three rats grinned evil grins

thinking about what Herbert really meant. So

Clarence Ill bet youd like to clean up before dinner.

You know so you will look your best. Herbert was

pushing him toward a wooden box looking thing up

next to one of the walls.

Well yes I think I should like to clean up. I smell

quite awful. Clarence was looking at the black on

his paws and the slime on his legs. Yes I would liketo take a bath.

Herbert gave him a little shove into the box and

closed the door. There you go, some nice fresh

water to clean up and even a little piece of carrot for

you to nibble on till its time to eat.

Clarence looked around at the little space, he

supposed it would do. He turned and pushed on the

door to step back out and tell Herbert that this would

be fine, but the door would not open. Clarence


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supposed the door was stuck, so he pushed again.

And again, and again but it would not budge.

Herbert, the door is stuck and will not open, calledClarence.

Not to worry Clarence, its locked to keep you safe.

The boys and I will be out for a while and we didnt

want any of the unseemly rats to come by and bother

you. Youll be safer this way. Herbert knocked on

the door. See? You are safe and sound till we

return.

Clarence wasnt sure that was the only reason he had

been locked in but there was nothing he could do so

he sat down and began to clean the slime from his

fur. As he was cleaning, he heard a beautiful sound.It was singing. The most beautiful singing he had

ever heard. It was near, but not near enough to hear

it clearly. He had to hear more and he had to get

closer. But how?


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9

Clarence supposed if the singing could be heard in

the box, then there must be an opening somewhere.

He felt all around the floor and then the walls, but no

opening was to be found. Then he stood up on his

tiptoes and touched all along the ceiling till sure

enough, he found a small opening in the top corner

there the two pieces of wood had been warped over

time. With all his might, he pulled himself into the

tiny opening. As it turned out, it was a drainpipe that

was wedged to the top of the box. Clarence looked

around to see if he could get out of the pipe, but itappeared to end at the box and go up forever.

Once again, Clarence heard the beautiful singing, it

was coming from above. He had to climb the inside

of the pipe if he was to find out whom or what could

make such a wonderful sound. Clarence wiggled into

the drain and found that it was very rough and rustyon the inside, just right for a mouse to climb on. He

made his was up and up and up as the beautiful

singing became louder and louder.


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Just when he thought he would reach the singing, it

stopped and Clarence found himself coming to a spot

where the pipe and been dented and was too small for

him to pass. Now what? As Clarence was about toturn around and make his way back down the pipe he

saw an opening on the other side of the pipe. He had

not seen it before since it was hidden by the shadow

of the dented area. Carefully, Clarence made his way

to the tiny hole. It was too small for him to pass

through but he could get his nose just inside the

opening.

Hello, called Clarence. Is there anyone there?

Hello, returned a definitely feminine voice. Im

Miriam, who are you?

Im Clarence; well at least my nose is since that is

what you can see.

It is a pleasure to meet you Clarence. If you would

pull your nose back from the hole, I should like to

touch your face so I can tell what you look like,

replied Miriam.

Clarence pulled back while Miriams tiny hand

reached through the hole and gently stroked

Clarences nose, chin and ears. It was so gentle and


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comforting as Miriam touched the edges of his ears

and then finally each one of his whiskers.

I can tell you are both very handsome and very kindClarence. I have not had someone to talk to for a

very long time.

Were you the one who was singing so beautifully?

inquired Clarence.

Well, Miriam sat down across from the hole, I

was singing, but I am not sure how beautiful it was.

Oh, it was quite wonderful. I can see you through

the hole, but not very well, could you back up just a

little? Clarence was straining to see what Miriam

looked like. As she moved back, Clarence could seeshe was a rather small mouse, very attractive but not

brown like Clarence. No, she was almost all white

except for some small patches of black here and

there. Clarence also noticed she had her eyes closed.

Open your eyes so I can see your whole face,

Clarence asked.

I am sorry Clarence, but I cannot. I have been blind

since I was born and this is how my eyes have always

looked. But thats alright, because I can see with my


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ears and my hands and my heart. Miriam smiled

knowing Clarence could see her now. You must

hurry back to your place Clarence because Herbert

and the others will be back soon and when theyreturn they will be bringing Goliath. I heard them

talking as they were leaving.

Who or what is Goliath?

Trust me Clarence; he is someone you do not want

to meet. But if you do, it is the last someone you will

ever see.


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10

Clarence hurried himself down the pipe and back into

his little box. He could hear the voices of Herbert

and Patch and someoneor something else. He

supposed the other thing out there was Goliath.

Just come this way sir, Clarence could hear Herbert

saying; we have everything prepared just the way

you like it.

There was a kind of whooshing sound and a soft

but definite thud that came from outside the box.Almost the same as when the tailor in the shop above

Clarences little home walked around in his wool

socks. Whooshthud, again and again. Then it

stopped and there was a very strange noise that

followed. It sounded a little like the grinding of the

gears in widow McCalls great clock in her hall near

the door. Except, there was no ticking; only the lowgrinding noise mixed with a deep breathing sound.

Clarence was worried, but somehow not afraid. Very

strange for a little mouse, even one who was


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handsomeor at least used to be? Clarence knew he

needed a plan, even though he did not know what to

plan for. His father used to tell him Son, pray for

the best, plan for the worst. Nothing is as bad as yourimagination. Clarences imagination had run quite

wild up to this point so he was hoping his father was

right.

Clarence turned about several times and decided to

press as hard as he could against the door, while still

not making any noise. Once, twicethree times

Clarence pushed the door until there was a small

opening, just large enough for Clarence to get a peak

of Goliath.

It looked like Clarences father was wrong because

what he saw was much worse than he had imagined.In fact, he had never seen anything like it anywhere.

Sitting with Herbert and Patch was a huge furry thing

with one ear that pointed up and one ear than hung

down. It had long whiskers on one side of its giant

face and none on the side where the ear hung. Its eye

was yellow and cold looking. The other eye was

closed, perhaps forever since it did not look veryhealthy.

Goliaths body was two to three times that of Herbert

and the tail was completely covered with hair


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although it had kind of a kink in the end of it.

Nevertheless, all that was not the half of it. Goliaths

paws were massive with long sharp claws and teeth

so big they showed even when his mouth was closed.

Of course, had Clarence been a slightly worldlier

mouse, he would have known that Goliath was a cat.

A very large cat in mouse terms, but a cat just the

same.

Herbert, Goliath and Patch were all sitting around a

table with a candle in the middle of it. Next to, it was

a fork and a knife, much like the ones at the widows

table, except these were exceeding dirty.

Well, purred Goliath, lets see this country mouse

you have bragged about. I have come a long way andI am anxious to get to this business. As you might

expect I am very hungry.

Suddenly Clarence realized what this trip was really

about. Clarence was not joining Herbert, Patch and

Goliath for dinnerhe was the dinner. Clarence was

also sure Miriam was part of the dinner menu as well,he had to do something about it, and he needed to do

it right now.


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Gentlemen, Clarence called in his most theatrical

voice he could muster, given his size. Before we

have our dinner we should grace our ears with the

sweet melodies of Miriam the singing mouse while Iperform a feat of such daring it could never be

repeated again. Clarence leaned against the door

trying to see the faces of the trio and what they might

think of his proposal.

It seems to me, said Patch, rising to his full height

and trying to look like a fancy, that a gentleman and

his companions should enjoy some entertainment

before dinner. I think the suggestion from our guest

is exactly what we should do.

Fine, growled Goliath, anything that will get us

closer to eating. Get on with it.

Herbert slithered his way over to the door where

Clarence was captive. So Clarence, what daring feat

could a small country mouse perform that would so

astound my guests?

Surely Herbert, Clarence replied, you did notactually think my only talent was my handsome

appearance did you? As Clarence said this he

realized just how foolish had had been his whole life

wasting his time thinking more of himself than


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anyone else. He realized that he was the only one

who could now make a difference for Miriam and

himself. It was all or nothing.

Very well, said Herbert with a distinctive sneer in

his voice, show us. With that, Herbert unlatched

the door and let Clarence out of his prison.

Gentlemen, I must warn you that this display of skill

has rarely been attempted and it is very dangerous,

Clarence was standing on his hind feet waving his

arms as he walked. He approached Goliath. I

would not even attempt such a feat if not for this

uhuhspecial person joining us this evening.

Clarence bowed in front of Goliath and though that

just for a moment he saw the beast smile.

So mouse, what makes me so special that you would

attempt thiswhatever it is? Goliath narrowed the

one eye to a slit and stared at the mouse.

Well sir, began Clarence, it is because of your

obvious great skill and power as well as size and of

courseyour courage. As he spoke, Clarencemoved the knife and fork so that the fork was now

face up lying across the knife. Now good sir, if you

would use your great strength to hold the fork for

me. Clarence positioned Goliaths massive front


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paw over the end of the fork, covering the tines with

the center of his paw.

So what is it you are going to do, questionedPatch?

One moment gentlemen, for to make this special I

will need music. Perhaps Miriam could come down

here and sing will I perform. Clarence was still

working out the details of his amazing feat though

he was not quite sure yet what that feat was.

Herbert, you did not tell me the mouse could sing,

growled Goliath. Bring her here; lets have her sing

while we enjoy this entertainment.

Herbert brought Miriam down into the midst of thegroup.

Well miss mouse; we hear from Clarence that you

can sing. So if you would please, while Clarence

entertains us with his feat of daring you shall sing for

our supper, Herbert wiped his mouth with his dirty

paw.

Yes Miriam, you must sing while I perform my

amazing feat of daring, Clarence spoke to all the

guests. Then, in a whisper so no one but Miriam


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could hear, he said be ready to run to your right as

fast as you can when I say go. It will be alright.

I would love to sing for you all this evening. Itwould be an honor, Miriam bowed to the anxious

diners.

Clarence took Miriams hand and positioned her

where she would be out of the way and easily make

her escape when it was time. Now it was time for

him to call up all the courage a mouse could have and

hope his plan would work.

Very well gentlemen, began Clarence, it is time.

Miriam if you would please begin.

Miriam began to sing a beautiful song that at oncefilled the dingy sewer with notes and melodies that

no one had ever heard the like of before. It was quite

wonderful and the guests were captivated by her

charm. Not that they would not eat her later, but

perhaps they would do it slowly out of respect.

Clarence began to climb up the drainpipe he had usedto reach Miriam. But he climbed higher and higher

and even still higher till he was nearly at the ceiling.


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Then, from the height of the room, Clarence called

out to all Lady and gentlemen. I present to you the

one and the only Clarence the Amazing. Clarence

had heard something like this years before when hehad crawled into a circus tent near his little village.

The hungry patrons turned to look up to where

Clarence was perched. There was great anticipation

on their faces as they wondered just what the country

mouse would actually do.

Be amazed, called Clarence and he jumped from

the pipe into the air and began to fall toward the

table. As he fell, he called out GO, but neither rat

nor cat noticed as their attention was on the falling

mouse. Miriam knew just what to do and began to

run. As the three companions were looking up at

Clarence, they never saw her go; but Clarence did.

As he fell, he began to whip his tail about in the air,

though not much of a tail anymore, it did help to slow

him down some. Moreover, when he did land, it was

a true surprise.

Clarence fell firmly on the end of the fork as it restedon the knife. Though small, his weight plus the fall

caused the fork to leap in the air. Well, not leap

because Goliaths paw was on it. What did happen

was the fork jumped and stuck in the cats paw.


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Goliath let out a yell as his paw flew in the air, fork

stuck in the pad. The force of the flinging paw hit

Herbert firmly in the nose sending him sailing acrossthe floor and into the wall. Goliath quickly turned to

remove the fork from his injured paw, but he turned

so suddenly that the other end of the fork poked

Patch in his good eye so he could not see.

It was a mad house. Herbert was dazed against the

wall, Patch was wandering around and bumping into

things while he coved the only working eye he had

and Goliath was growling and yowling trying to get

the fork out of his paw.

Clarence started to run after Miriam but found he had

injured his leg on the landing and now was notrunning but limping away hoping to make it to

freedom.

Herbert was to his feet now and charging after the

little country mouse. Youll not make a fool out of

me mouse, Herbert called. Just wait, youll pay for

this.

Herbert was getting closer now, in fact, if Clarence

had his full tail, he would have been caught already.

Herbert made one more lunge to catch Clarence and


44/47

Clarence was running as fast as a limping mouse

could go when he heard a thud.

The sound of Herbert running after him had stopped.Clarence stole a quick glance behind to see Herberts

tail sticking out from under a brick that had fallen

from the ceiling. From above Clarence heard

Miriams voice, I may not be able to see with my

eyes, but I can see with my ears. The mortar around

this brick has been dropping away for the past week.

It just needed a little help.

And with that, Miriam joined Clarence and they

made their way back to the little country village that

Clarence called home.


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11

Of course, this is not the end of the story. Clarence

and Miriam had several adventures on the way to the

little country village and had a wonderful life in the

village having lots of children and grandchildren

Miriam still sang and the whole village loved it.

Clarence, well he was no longer the handsome

mouse. His ear was torn, his tail was short and we

walked with a limp all the rest of his life.

Nevertheless, there was not a day that one of his

grandchildren did not beg him to tell the story of how

he and Grandmother Miriam escaped from the

monster Goliath.

Oh, one more thing. Although he was no longer

Clarence the handsome mouse, everyone in the

village now called him the Amazing Clarence. Truly

for Clarence, when he put someone else before

himselfhe was amazing.


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From Time Magazine, December 28th, 1936

Inmates of the Chicago Industrial Home for Children at Woodstock were convinced last fortnight that acanary was loose somewhere in the building. Day after day, they heard it chirp and trill. Day after day theysearched for it high & low without success. Then one day the school manager heard the piping behind him,turned and beheld its astonishing sourcea small, grayish brown mouse.

Captured, placed in a glass jar and named Mickey, the singing mouse became the wonder & delight ofschool and neighborhood. Even news hawks admitted after an audition that it actually sang. When AssistantDirector Robert Bean of the Chicago Zoological Park called, it failed to perform. Nonetheless, Director Bean,who had heard of singing mice before, offered $150 for it. Dr. Wilfred H. Osgood, zoology curator of theField Museum of Natural History, also said he had heard of singing mice, though he had never seen one.Declared University of Chicago's Dr. Maud Slye, famed cancer experimenter: "I have had 160,000 mice andI never had one that sang. If there is a singing mouse, I am open to conviction."

To the mouse, renamed Minnie after examination by Zooman Bean, came a supreme test one evening lastweek. Up to a microphone in NBC's Chicago studios stepped the master of ceremonies of the NBCJamboree to announce "the phenomenon of the century . . . the only mouse in the world who actually sings."Into the studio marched the Industrial School's tall, gaunt Manager Oscar Alva Allred, carrying Minnie in awire-fronted box. Holding the cage before the microphone, Manager Allred poked a small piece of insulatedwire through a hole in the box top, tenderly prodded Minnie's belly. As the visible audience of 400 listenedraptly, out over a national network went faint, wavering chirps and trills. It sounded as much like a cricket aslike a canary, but that Minnie really sang there was no doubt. After the broadcast a cage was fashioned ofglass and cardboard, its bottom strewn with strips of cloth and paper for mousy nesting. Press and newsreelphotographers crowded around, snapped perky, self-assured Minnie until midnight.Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771931,00.html#ixzz0WecBKfTp
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771931,00.html#ixzz0WecBKfTphttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771931,00.html#ixzz0WecBKfTp


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Clarence the Handsome Mouse

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