Once…
A mouse took a walk in the forest,
When it suddenly started to pour.
He searched far and wide for a dry place to hide
Then he noticed a small wooden door.
He had come to a neat little cottage,
Where the lonely old mole did reside.
“Oh please!”, cried the mouse. “Let me into your house,
For I’m lost and it’s raining outside!”
But the lonely old mole was too selfish,
And he lied so he’d not have to share.
“My house is too small; there is no room at all.
I’m afraid that you must stay out there.”
So the mouse carried on through the downpour,
‘Til a hole in a tree he did spy.
He got out of the storm and he tried to keep warm,
And the mouse did his best not to cry.
Meanwhile…
The thunderstorm raged through the forest,
And the wind caused the mole’s house to sway.
It creaked and shook, and the mole could but look,
As his neat little home washed away!
So the mole was alone in the forest,
And he could find nowhere to hide.
Then he spotted the tree, and what did he did see,
But the weary young mouse was inside.
“Oh please!”, cried the mole. “I am drowning!
And I simply don’t know what to do.
I have nowhere to go, can you please let me know,
Is there room in your tree-house for two?”
The cries woke the mouse from his slumber,
And he roused himself up from his bed.
Then he saw the old mole peering into the hole,
And here’s what the little mouse said:
“When I needed your help, you refused me,
And your selfishness should be repaid.
But I see you’re in need, so you’re welcome indeed,
To share the small home that I’ve made.”
The mole cried “I’m ever so grateful!”
And he sat by the mouse to keep warm.
And they stayed there together, safe from the weather,
Looking out at the terrible storm.
Then…
The next morning the storm had retreated,
And the forest was dried by the sun.
But the mole hung his head and he quietly said,
“I am sorry for what I have done.”
“When you asked me for help I ignored you,
Yet you helped when I’d nowhere to go.
So I promise you now I will manage somehow,
To repay you this debt that I owe.”
So the mole built a new little cottage,
In his bid to make honest amends.
And there they did stay for a year and a day,
The mouse and the mole – best of friends!