version available here---> ) or so I thought, for where do animals go during torrential downpours?

It would be several weeks before the worst of the weather finally did die down enough so that surely my little guest would have left by now So to be awakened in the quiet of the night by a loud was quite the surprise As so near and thunderous this sound did seem, I was half certain my little mouse friend had crawled into bed with me Now it was my turn to have eyes grow affright as hastily, I scrambled to turn on the light But no sooner had I illumed my room that the little mouse had mysteriously disappeared from view. I declared so very relieved he hadn't been through my hair! I grumbled... I groaned... I growled... I yelled Continuing to scold I scowled about seeking the whereabouts of this intrusive minute mouse after searching for some time without much luck disappointed, I was forced to give up Distraught, exhausted, and desperate for rest, I turned the lights out and returned to my bed Yet, hardly had I begun to doze that by a deafening sound again I awoke I exclaimed hopping out of my covers while clicking back on the light certain to catch this daring fellow this time in my sight How strange it was! For never had I viewed a room more undisturbed and empty if he hadn't been so loud before I would have thought I was dreaming Where was he? Hurriedly, I began looking about peeking behind all the spots that might be likely to hide a mouse though searched I did for quite some time his whereabouts, I couldn't find What was he, some kind of magically endowed mouse? One who could teleport at will anywhere throughout my house?

Early the next day it was almonds I discovered broken into disgusted, I discarded them and sealed up all the other food I declared, satisfied with myself, It wouldn't be long now before he had no choice but to leave to go to where the grasses were moist and green then once again I would have my peace The next night it wasn't as surprising While drifting near the threshold of sleep to hear him decide this was the perfect time to eat. With eyes opened wide, I didn't move this time intent to just listen trusting my ears for senses The sheer nearness nearly unnerved me... “CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!” Oh! to be so close, yet not be seen it was as if he were a ghost and haunting me or so my alarmed senses bellowed! Unable to stand it any longer I turned on the light. Disturbed to find no disturbances no mouse in sight. Nothing to break the silence but my exasperated sigh wondering where it was one as sneaky as he could actually hide I promised myself, he would have have nothing left to eat he would have little choice but to leave would be my victory word and his inevitable defeat So Why? Why? Why!!! I often cursed inside, As night after night I lay awake traumatized forced to listen to such rambunctious crunching for over an hour at a time! Just how big was his food supply? This battle of wills this siege to starve him out was not turning out so easy to defeat this little mouse He munched like thunder Like a giant crushing rocks between humongous mousy teeth Why did he have to chew so obnoxiously? Gagging for breath between each greedy gobble, this rabid mix of gasping and decibel shattering chomping glee I often wondered if he might choke accidentally ...those nuts must have been awfully tasty!

So where? Where? Where was he? Certainly not in the wall as the head of my bed was a window and beneath was also quite clear as were all the fixtures and furnitures near So confused was I over a mouse who could not be seen I began to consider him invisible and merely enjoying toying with me Now it was I who was besieged as my mouse haunted nights had turned into weeks forced to listen to such an impetuous racket each time he decided to snack by the rate he was eating I was quite certain he must be twice as fat! Too distraught now at night to even fall asleep my mounting frustration had finally reached a peek I knew if I was ever to sleep again, it was by force, I would have to remove him Undaunted, the next day I stomped out the door only to see my resolve dissolve While staring at the horrid options in the store For not one of these many traps, that electrocuted, broke backs, poisoned, or permanently glued, seemed the proper fate for a mouse that was so adorably cute Especially one who had only entered my home to escape a most dreadful rain... I didn't want him to stay Yet, I didn't want to obliterate him Oh my! What a decision! After all, this mouse was my friend not only that, I'd let him in! It was then I decided it more humane and wise to go home and create a trap of my own devise to catch and keep him healthy and alive would be the nature of the enterprise Surely I could be clever enough for this little almond munching mouse who was only showing appreciation by profanely crunching so loudly in my house After some thought, I came up with a simple plan and placed a bunch of almonds in a big paper grocery bag Beneath the sink I left it open and laying on it's side certain once, unable to resist, the critter crawled inside, I'd quickly close the sack of nutty treasures right up and carry him back outside. Day after day, with anxious ear I awaited, hoping to hear his little claws scrapping from the trap inside my kitchen but this clever tiny creature never did appear, well...at least not at any time when I was aware So without success these days passed from Winter into Spring, and now that I had provided such a huge food supply I would never get rid of him

(h6>“A Winter's~ Tail” continued... Tormented, I lay awake each night in defeat Awaiting to have his fill to eat, How much longer before he'd had enough? How could a creature so small devour so much? This was madness! there must be a way to restore harmony in my life, so out again I went a questing for a more humane mouse catching device After asking enough questions I found the answer I so desperately sought, it came in the form of the most ingenious little box, made of tin and hinged with ramp and a spring one that could let a mouse in but not out again So laying a trail of nuts to follow and a slab of moist poignant peanut butter awaiting just inside it didn't take but a few days to awake to the most gracious surprise for I could hear his claws scrapping from within the belly of my At last I had him!!!