‘TWAS THE MOUSE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Ah, ’twas that night before Christmas,

When through the house all,

The story lost my tale,

As I scurried through the hall;

This bump woke me up,

And caused me to see,

If something was amiss,

Or maybe some food for me?

I zigged and I zagged,

To the source of the noise,

Looked up and down,

Seeing some strange little boys;

They were short as I am,

Clothed in shirts and caps of green,

Pointy little brown shoes,

Kind too, and not at all mean;

They worked with a fellow,

All chubby, round and red,

Putting out gifts of toys,

‘Til finally he said;

‘Ah, what a cute lil fella,

Come to see me tonight,

I’ve done, and I’ve eaten,

Presents, cookies and milk, right?’

So, standing and grabbing,

His very large, red bag,

Gathered with his helpers,

And nary with any time lag;

He winked at me and then,

Laying finger on his red nose,

His body started twinkling,

And up the chimney he rose;

I scurried to the roof where,

Reindeer I did see,

A team of fine animals,

Wee, and speaking to me;

‘Hi, lil house mouse,

We’re almost done,

St. Nick has some errands,

So now we’ll be gone!

You’ve been a good mouse,

Not making trash or waste,

So we’ve left you a gift,

Something to love in good taste!’

The round, jolly old elf,

Took his place in the sleigh,

Gave a wink and a nod,

And then this he did say:

‘Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the clouds, to the top of the sky,

Let’s finish tonight, so now we must fly!’

Pulled by the reindeer all full of pep,

Mounting winds ’round house they flew,

The sleigh in a moment leaped to the air,

Up into the sky, oh, what a view!

As they flew off to finish,

This wonderful night of great gifts

I remembered what they told me,

And went looking to sift;

Entering the house where,

I’d live all this time,

I scurried to the main room,

To seek a gift fine;

Off to the left near,

The hole I lived in,

Was a big block of cheese,

All wrapped in tin;

I danced and I pranced,

And I scurried with joy,

My Christmas was great,

With St. Nick’s gift, oh, boy!

PTR November 27, December 3-4, 22, 2010