Ah, I see you have stumbled across my dwellings, locked up in chains in the bottom cellar. Do not be frightened by my appearance, it has been so long since I last had visitors. I realize I must look dreadful. I have not washed for what seems like and eternity. I grow weak and skinny through neglect. The good beasts above have forgotten me, but it has always been that way.
You wish to hear how I ended up here? Very well, I shall tell you my story.
I was born a regular mousemaid, no different from the rest. I didn’t do much, just what I had to. I never got out much. I was never a popular beast. I was just there. For this reason, no one ever had anything to do with me. But that is okay. I didn’t mind.
No one ever called me by my name. They didn’t remember it. If I told them, they would forget. The always called me Mouse. It hurt at first, having creatures as your friends, yet which didn’t know your name. But that is okay. I didn’t mind.
I was very helpful. I always did what other beasts asked me to do. I enjoyed doing it. By helping someone else, it felt like I gained a new friend. At first, the beasts thanked me. They were grateful for my help. After a while, though, they took advantage of me. Always asking me to do their work, never thanking me, or returning a favor. I got used to it. I liked work. It was okay. I didn’t mind.
Good creature’s birthdays came and went, as the days pass by. I always give a present. It is the right thing to do. I always wish them a happy birthday. Good beasts should get that kind of reception on their day. When my birthday came, no one said ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. No one gave me a present, or baked me a cake. I grew older by myself. No one else took notice. But it was fine. I didn’t mind.
One day it was the Abbot’s Jubilee Feast. Everybeast was excited. I admired the Abbot very much. I wanted to honor him, for his wise judgement, and fair ways. I decided to bake him a cake, a cake grander than all others, and just for him. I spent many days working on my masterpiece. I strove to make it perfect; often redoing layers if they had flaws. Finally one day, I finished it. I was very proud, proud of my accomplishment. I wheeled it out of the kitchens to cool.
The following night, during the Abbot’s feast, I went to the kitchens to fetch my cake, my masterpiece. But it is gone. Stolen. I searched around frantically. I was nearly brought to tears. The Abbot has shown me some kindness, I thought I should show him some too. But now, it is gone.
With tears in my eyes, I headed back to Cavern Hole. As I entered, I saw my cake, sitting on a platter on the table. My heart soared with joy. My cake wasn’t stolen! I happily sit down and continue to feast.
As the feast draws to a close, the Abbot stood up and addressed the Abbeydwellers. “Who made such a wonderful cake? Whoever it is must have extraordinary skills!” I smiled proudly and started to stand up. Before I can though, Jessa, a snippy squirrel who never liked me, stood up. She announced that she had made the cake, for the Abbot, to show him how much she appreciated his kindness and wisdom throughout the seasons.
My eyes burned with tears threatening to fall out. I quickly wiped them on my sleeve. It was okay though; I could prove to the Abbot how much I admired him at a later time, even though my cake was the best thing I could do. It was okay. I didn’t mind.
Then came the last straw. As the kindly Abbot was cutting up his cake for all to share, I stood in line, anticipating my slice of my delicious cake. I had baked it to perfection. However, as I walked away with my slice, Jessa Squirrel barged in front of me, knocking the cake out of my hands on purpose. I look at her snide face, and I felt a feeling that I have never felt before. Anger. I try to keep it within me, and I succeeded. However,
Jessa Squirrel must pay for what she has done to me. It is not okay. This time, I do mind.
That night, I steal into the kitchens and grab a cutting knife. Jessa was always mean to me, and this was going to be the way I told her how much I appreciated it. As I entered her room, she awoke. As she stared at me, she smiled that same snide, smug smile, and a deep anger wells up inside of me. She says, “What is it now, Mouse, have you come to cut me another slice of cake, or to wash my clothes? You’re no good for anything else.” This frustrates me. I have always treated her with respect, and this is how she treats me. I could take it no longer. I approached her, knife drawn over my head. Jessa’s snide look turns to one of terror. “What are you doing, Mouse?! Is this some kind of joke? Stop it right now, you hear?” I drew closer, my mind made up. Jessa’s frantic screams fill the room. “No!! Stop it, right now!! Oh no, it was all a joke!! Please, forgive me!” I draw even with her now. I raise the knife, and bring it down repeatedly, with punishing force. Jessa’s single scream sounds out through the night. I smiled, a wave of serenity sweeping over me. “It is alright, Jessa. I don’t mind.”
That is where my story ends, traveler. They Abbeydwellers found me in Jessa’s room, holding a bloody knife, standing over her dead body. They threw me in here, locking me up. It isn’t too bad, they still bring me food and drink, and they don’t treat me unkindly. My days are drawing near a close. I grow old, and weak with each passing day. I will never be released. I will probably perish before they ever release me. But it is alright, don’t worry about me. I don’t mind.