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A tale of mousery most profound
from this a lesson learned
Rodent sees, and rodent does
but isn't quite concerned

A special little runt
whose name would give you pause
They called him “Nobody”
for slightedness with paws

Steal the cheese across the traps
he did so with great ease
Passed it all on to his kin
for he needed to appease

One would think he knew
his luck would soon run out
Steel with wooden slat
caught and snapped to rot

“Nobody can catch me!”,
amused by his stealth and wit
“I am the best at this – you know.”,
and he gave no other thought to it

But a wise old cat had heard
of the little flash
“A meal of mouse.” he thought
“Much better than the trash.”

And so one rainy day
Mouse and cat did cross
As Nobody was pilfering
he found the feline’s doss

“Who has found my abode?”,
said a voice with sly of tone
“I’m not really one for guests,
but you're welcome in my home.”

“Nobody is my name.
I’m just a tiny tyke.
No one special really,
but I’m easily to like.”

“Oh, I can see you’re small,
but I care not anyway.
Small is fine by me,
all the better on this day.”

So the wild puss strode in
and lone Nobody stood tall
The deluge outside swelled
spilling in and down the walls

“Fear not my furry friend,
I have a task for you.
I need your clever speed
to gather something blue.”

“Something blue?
Of what is this you speak?
I am nimble and quite quick,
but tell me what I seek.”

“Oh pish posh,
you must be blind!
You can’t get it,
so never mind.”

The cat had turned away,
but Nobody gave chase
“Please tell me, dear sir.
Forgive me for my haste.”

“Well, I see that you’re sincere
so take a look just over there.”
And upon a pad and spring
lay some roquefort at the stairs.

“Oh my, my, my...
...to see this gives me pleasure
But tell me feral one,
do I owe you for this treasure?”

“Well, Nobody, you see
up the stairs I cannot go.
The bait is set and I am old;
I can’t jump passed you know.”

The smell of cheese and the cat’s lament
gave Nobody his ready
Geared to go with pairs of paws
he stood there fast and steady.

“Just wait, just wait!
Let me cushion out your fall.
You’re doing this for me.
Let me help you after all.”

To the side of the snare he went
to face the charging vermin
Nobody began to run
he’d swipe the cheese for certain

But stormy days bring wetness
and his balance thus did spin
He skittered passed the clapper
into a toothy grin

“Ah but yes, he missed it!”,
said the chomping beastie
As he slurped and swallowed
“This one tasted cheesy!”

“And I must really say,
a nap has given pull.
Since nobody I’ve eaten,
how could I be this full?"

And up the stairs he went
to rest after his snack
Here ends the tale of Nobody
who wasn't very sprack

So beware of falling rain
it tends to makes things slide
And be wary of those friends
who seem a tad bit snide

2016 Kelly R. Sullivan