The Sea Mouse

A tiny mouse was born between two bags of corn kernels in the lower level of a cargo boat. Her mother had been chased away and had disappeared out of view. Frightened, the baby mouse snuggled between the two bags and waited. The waves rocked the vessel gently and she soon fell asleep.

A loud horn startled her out of her dreams. The boat stopped, and many voices were heard, along with footsteps going back and forth.

The mouse stood still, her little heart pounding like a drum roll, until someone lifted up one of the bags and yelled, "Marcos, hand me the broom! I found another mouse!"

As he turned his head to look at the mouse again, she had disappeared. She was already making her way out of the boat, scurrying between people's legs, down the ramp and onto the dock. Someone stepped on her tail, but she managed to escape.

The baby mouse stopped running and looked around. The warm sand felt good under her paws. The salty wind blew gently between her ears, carrying dolphins' conversations and seagulls' cries.

The little mouse could see the ship from far away. She watched as sailors, appearing to be the size of corn kernels, went up and down the ramp, carrying wooden cases and other supplies.

The baby mouse suddenly realized how hungry she was. She nibbled on a seaweed and spat it back out. She was lucky enough to find a plump, juicy berry to fill up her minuscule stomach. She lingered a bit longer to watch the sunset, reflecting on the sea in a million colors, and then yawned.

Using a piece of sea sponge as a pillow, the little mouse snuggled in an empty seashell and drifted off to sleep. That was the beginning of her new life as a sea mouse.