That night it rained, and poured, and squalled;
A storm so great that even Noah would flee.
The floor of the barn held the animals’ stalls.
The rising water had flooded them all.
So the animals escaped to a hill and huddled under a tree.
The mice family, whose nest was crushed by the water, (consumed, destroyed)
Knew the others would not let them into their group.
The four small, shivering mice huddled ‘round their father
Who said “Let’s go to where the rain is no bother.”
Up a ramp to the loft came the little mouse troupe.
The vulture asleep, and warm, and dry,
Stood beside the loft window with his head ‘neath his wings.
At first he didn’t notice four children shake and cry.
At first he didn’t notice five creatures passing by.
He only woke when Mr. Mouse began to sing.
“Sleep, sleep, rest your whiskers, not a peep.
Dream of fruit and lotus seeds.
Off to dreams in one, two, three.
Off to dreams and wait for me.”
The four little mice became very still.
Mr. Mouse turned and walked over to the bird.
“Please, just for one night” His voice was shrill.
“The others won’t let us under their tree on the hill.
We will stay one night and won’t say a word.”
The rodent hoped his family was welcome to stay.
The vulture stared for a while at the mouse.
He then gave a hiss and flew away.
The mouse returned to his children and started to pray.
He was thankful indeed for this cold, drafty house.
Soon he began to doze; just then he heard two beating wings.
The vulture returned; he was soaked from the rain.
The mouse noticed the vulture carried a curious thing.
In its beak was something that looked much like string.
The mouse approached was a level of nervous restrain.
It was the branch of a raspberry bush.
It had a great yield of fruit.
The vulture, without a threat or push
Had brought back this food (which to him was mush).
The mouse looked at the gift, astonished and mute.
The vulture dropped his present at the mouse’s feet.
The mouse scurried over and woke up his sons.
The four pattered over and started to eat.
The fruit was clean, and soft, and sweet.
All the mice smiled when at last they were done.