‘Field Mice Rescuers’

Press, 6 October 1987, Page 34

‘Field Mice Rescuers’

By

PAUL STRINGLEMAN,

aged 12, of Rangiora Wheat stalks swayed in the early morning sun, two field mice ran through them looking for fun. Along came a third mouse to tell them the news, that a farmer and his harvester were coming very soon. The three mice ran away but the stalks could not go, for . they were held fast by the roots down below. The harvester roared as it came down the path, with the driver inside (who was in great need of a bath). The farmer chopped all the ripe wheat stalks down, and all the grain would be sold in the town. The farmer would be happy and his work would be done, but the stalks would be dead and to the mice — no fun. The wheat stalks cried and yelled for rescue, the mice heard the cries and answered them too. Thousands of mice came to help the wheat and grain, but how could they held without causing pain. Now a wise old mouse

had come to stay, and said the stalks could be carried away.

He said that the mice could all dig down, and uproot the stalks right out of the ground. All the mice thought t’was a wonderful plan, and set to work digging

as fast as they can. Soon the stalks were carried far, far away, and were planted in a secret forest where they could all stay. When the farmer reached the paddock where the wheat had been, the wheat was all gone, not a stalk to be seen. The smelly cried and fell to his knees, he just assumed the crop was eaten by disease. So that is the story of the brave — smart — field mice who saved the wheat from being killed for a price.

The wheat established very well in the big secret forest But never ask the mice how they did it ... for they are too modest