There are times in one’s life that one never wants to forget. These memories can always be found in items that have been bought, found, and even given. People never want to forget, and cling to the past with all the good and even the bad that it might have brought.
Many of these types of memory invoking items can be found in every attic, storage space, or garage. Stored in boxes, bags, and totes and placed on selves, in closets, and under beds. These memories float all around one’s living space and lives.
Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Many are seen strewn across the old wooden attic floorboards of a small, white house. The dust of five years covered all of the inhabitants of the attic like fresh fallen snow, and only became stirred by the little scurrying feet of small house mice. Their plump little gray bodies became grayer with dust as they hurried from box to box, sniffing to see if food resided within.
The group of mice makes their way up a group of boxes using a ruler as their ladder. One small little mouse fell into a larger box that had been thrown into a far corner of the old room. With a small flop he hit the bottom. Rubbing his dust filled eyes; he tried to look round the dark box to see what he could find. It was as though he had fallen into a whole new world.
The darkness started to melt away as though the sun was rising around him. He could start to make out a hut that was made of wood and straw that sat in the center of a tidy small fence. As he grew closer he could see a small decorative plate filled with food lying near a small fire. He scurried closer.
The closer he grew to the hut and food, the sound of music came from within the hut. Slowing his pace, the mouse came to a stop. A tall slender boy could be seen lounging in the shade of his hut playing a small drum. As the mouse stopped and viewed the boy, the boy noticed and looked over.
Leaving his hut, the boy walked over to the bowl that held the food and picked up a small amount of food. He then walked to the mouse and handed him the portion. He then pointed to a small gravel path that led away from his home.
“Go and seek your treasure.” With that the boy turned away playing his drum, and disappeared into the darkness that the mouse had just come from.
The mouse, unsure of what he should do and not knowing if he could go back the way he came, headed down the road ahead.
As he traveled along the path he happened upon a tribal African statue. As he observed and sniffed the statue to see what it could be, he noticed a note that was attached. It read: Use the item wrapped around this statue to help you on your journey.
Looking at the statue again, he could see that a velvet cloth had been used to clothe the statue. Thinking that it might not be right to take from the statue, he left if behind.
Not long after leaving the statue the little mouse noticed that his stomach began to ache with hunger. He stopped and began to eat the food that the boy had given him. Just as he had taken a small nibble of his food he noticed a shadow come from behind him. Looking up he could see the face of the statue that he had just left behind.
“Thank you for not talking what little I had for yourself,” said the statue, “For this I will give you this leather wallet for you to use.”
The mouse looked to the statue and nodded his head and gave a squeak of thanks, he then gobbled down his food and head on his way.
The next task the mouse found was to try and find his way across a large river. Looking around he found items that he could weave together to cross the river. Since his family was known for weaving, he was able to make himself a nice little canoe. Placing the woven boat into the river, he used his front feet to paddle his way across.
Once across, he took his canoe ashore and sat to take a small break. As he did so he took in his surroundings. As he looked across the river to see if he could make the small hut or the African statue, he could only see the darkness that he encountered at the beginning of his journey.
After the short break, the small mouse started his journey once again. He began to follow the gravel path yet again. Not far into continuing his journey did the mouse become thirsty. Sniffing the air to see if there was water near, the mouse’s whiskers began to quiver with joy. The mouse started to scurry down the path and came to a small river with a bridge for crossing.
The closer he grew to the river the more the figure of a hunched back man came into view. The mouse stopped in front of the man.
“Well, what do we have here?” said the old man.
The mouse looked up into the old man’s face to find himself looking straight into the eyes of a monkey. “Are you surprised to see this old monkey here? I am the guardian of this bridge. You look thirsty.” The monkey dug into his old blue coat pocket and took out a colorful glass bottle. “Here you can have some of my water.”
Taking advantage of the monkey’s kindness, the mouse began to drink. As he did so the monkey said, “You are looking to cross this one’s bridge?” The mouse squeaked in reply. “Oh, I see. Then I will let you cross if you can give me something in exchange.”
The mouse looked at the old monkey. He could see that the years had been unkind to the guardian. The cloths he wore had aged, just like the monkey, weathered and ragged. Thinking of the only thing he had that he could give was the wallet that the African statue had given him. Handing over the wallet the mouse squeaked and smiled up at the old monkey.
“Well, this is a lovely item you have here. This is more than enough to you across the river. Are you sure this is what you would like to give, it is too much.” The mouse only smiled. “I see. Then this one will let you pass.” The mouse squeaked his thanks and headed across the bridge.
The mouse traveled for what could have seemed like hours. The poor little fellow didn’t know what to think of where he was, or how he had even gotten this far. Getting ready to stop for a break, the mouse could see something just a little ways down the trail yet. Getting a boost of energy, the mouse continued on till he found himself face to face with another statue.
This statue was not like the other one he had come across. It was of a human bust. The bust was female in appearance and had the reddest lips the mouse had ever seen. It also held no hair what so ever. The mouse sniffed around the statue to find that the trail had ended at that point. There was only darkness beyond the statue.
Looking into the face of the female, the mouse jumped with a surprised squeak as the eyes slowly started to open. Blinking a few times as though her eyes have not been open in years, the face smiled.
“Welcome young one,” the female said, “I have been waiting for you.”
The mouse didn’t know what to think about the talking bust, or even his entire endeavor.
“Don’t worry; this journey is almost at its end.” Her smile grew in warmth as she looked at the tired and young gray mouse. “You have done well.”
The mouse sat down in front of the statue knowing that he could rest. “I have what you seek, your treasure is here.” The female statue opened up her mouth to reveal three large chestnuts. The mouse’s eyes grew large in excitement. Gesturing with her eyes for the mouse to take the treasure, the mouse started to get up to take them from her. Just as his small clawed hand touched one of the chestnuts, his world became black.
Feeling something nudging his side, the small little mouse opened his eyes to see himself looking into the faces of his family. Squeaking at one another in relief that the littlest member of their family was safe, they all helped him onto his feet.
Once on all fours, he looked around. He was back at the attic in the box he had fallen into. What had happened to the journey he thought he had been on, he wondered. Then his eyes fell upon his treasure. Next to him lay the three chestnuts that he had gained on his journey.
The mouse was never going to forget the adventure and memories he received that day. They would be a treasure all their own.
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