My Christmas Story

Today I went out on my mobility scooter to do the last of my Christmas shopping. I had to travel at least two miles and it was so cold and raining heavily.

I had two stores in mind so I planned to do the first shop and place it securely within my rear scooter carrier bag. Thus allowing me to do a second shop to insert into my large shoulder bag: thus reducing any security problems with items purchased.

So I came out of the first store, bagged my items and then proceeded to place them in my scooter bag.

As I opened the gap I was confronted by two little eyes staring at me.

It was a tiny baby mouse and he was shaking scared stiff.

I thought, 'What the hell can I do?'

There was this elderly lady standing nearby and I asked her as well as invited herself to have a 'look-see'.

She said, 'I don't know but isn't he so sweet!'

I replied 'Yes but I cannot dump him out here - he is so young and he probably has a mother and siblings back home. He probably climbed into my bag when my scooter was parked in my garage - to seek warmth from these cold December days!'

She instantly replied, 'No you should take him back home again to rejoin his family. Perhaps buy him a bit of cheese!'

I retorted, 'Next you will be wanting me to give him a name!'

'Yes', she said, 'As it's Christmas call him 'Mr Jingles!'

'Ahh!' I quickly responded, 'So you have seen that film too!'

In the end, I zipped up that carrier bag so he could not escape. Didn't put my first shop in there and did the next shop.

By now the rain was really chucking down so I rushed home at my top speed of eight miles per hour. Normally I slow down over our such bad pavements but I was so keen and now soaking wet to get home.

That poor mouse had a most rough journey.

When I reached the end of the line I re-parked my scooter in that shed. I pulled forward the seat with the bag attached, unzipped and made easy access for that mouse to escape.  I said to him.,

'Okay you have had a nice day out now bugger off!'

When I arrived back home and unpacked my shopping, got out of my wet clothes and settled down within the warmth and comforts of my home.., I began to think and care about 'Mr Jingles'.

So much so I thought, 'I bet he is hungry!'

So I grabbed a biscuit from my tin and went back down to my shed to feed him.

But he was gone!

Poor 'Mr Jingles'. I hope you had a good day out with me. I wish both you and your family a Happy Christmas.

At least I brought you back home again to hopefully secure that.

Reviews

[Phill Oz O'fee]

A Christmas (curly) tale - delightful to read and easy on the brain cells to appreciate both the subtle humour and the context of the write - nice one my friend. P.S. I suppose after all that rain our rodent friend arrived back to his/her family 'squeaky' clean ...bless you ... :-)

[Christine Peters]

Thanks Phil Ozz..,

I hope he got back to his family or friends.

You know sometimes I just like to write about the most simplest occurrences in our lifetime that most people just sadly ignore.

It is just pure 'observation' and taking note.

Chris

[Christine Peters]

I care for every living thing on our planet even though I am not religious or even a vegetarian.

If re-incarnation was true and I should come back as a rat - then what hope would I have?

Yet for many past POW's rat food gave them many high quality ingredients than their normal allowed diets.

In the West we abhor the Asian idea of killing and eating cats and dogs. Yet to me what is the difference from queuing up lots of Turkeys, lambs, pigs, ducks or goose to their demise so we can wish 'Goodwill to All' come this Christmas.

After all they are all still animals and living things on our planet.

I want a meat-free Christmas.

Christine Peters