come out and play, li'l mouse

Tonight was the first time I ever saw a brave little mouse. Its size is only about half my palm, dark chocolate fur and black tail around 10 cm long. Here there are many of them, unlike big city’s rats that are so oversize and disgusting, running along the gutter.

I was queuing at the ATM and watching some technicians doing major checking up on the ATM next door. 1 guy taking apart some parts, 1 guy just squatting behind and a guard sat and watch (some guard!). Then just out of nowhere this little mouse crept toward the human legs and obviously it didn’t have the slightest fear (or was it blind?) around humans.

DESPEREAUX! That was my initial reaction. Sounds French, eh? Well, I remember reading this kid book one time about a mouse called Despereaux, a brave little one who lived in a castle in France. Cute tale, and didn’t expect to actually see one alive.

So it moved steadily and when it reached the guard’s black boots it stayed there. It played with the shoe lace and tried to nibble on the ‘leather’. Something about that shoe must really fascinates it. Perhaps the smell, perhaps the feeling when the leather rubbed its body, or maybe the guard has befriended with it. Too much of an imagination?

The people inside the ATM booth took their sweet little time but I didn’t mind as I was intrigued by this little Despereaux (I don’t think I’ll ever seen it again, so I took as many time possible to observe it) . I was going to comment to guard about it but afraid a sudden movement will scare it. So I just watch... also wondering what would the guard’s reaction if he found out? Jump? Run? Squeeze it with his boots? Ouch!

My turn to make my transaction, and left. Next time I visit the ATM I definitely will look around for little Despereaux.