The Mouse And The Pea

(a Fable in the form of a Haibun)  

Once upon a time but not too long ago, a little white mouse in fear of her life escaped from a laboratory.  Tired and bewildered, she found her way to a friendly-looking house and huddled under a stove... warm, but so lonely.  Later that evening, a pea rolled off the kitchen table where the family had eaten supper.  The mouse scuttled the little green orb and snuffled it with her quivery pink nose.  Oh she was very hungry, but she adored the pea's company, for it had come to her!  She curled up with the pea and fell fast asleep.  In the morning she awoke, full of hope, and saw that the pea had withered.  Staying close, she sighed and said gently, "I shall grow old with you".  
 
flowing to the sea  
a fallen blossom  
turned brown




Image: by John Shioli, for “The Mouse and the Pea”.