(6) SHE LEAPT FROM HER PLACE WITH A VIGOR AND GRACE

             SANDIE McMOUSE 

Sandie McClintock McTavish McMouse

Was a poor little, lean little critter

With a tail that was curly and ears pink and pearly,

And eyes with a crumb-hungry glitter.

Angus, the Scotsman, who owned the wee house

In which the wee mouse was a boarder,

Was a codger whose cupboards, like old Mother 
          Hubbard's,

Were kept in a barren disorder.

McMouse couldn't find him as much as a crumb.

(Old Angus ate all in the house!)

So it seemed that starvation (a dismal sensation)

Awaited poor Sandie McMouse.

One day in the spring came the Widow McGee

To call on her skinny old neighbor,

And she brought him a cake of her own happy make,

And biscuits, the fruit of her labor.

I'm thankin' ye, noo, for yer kindness, m'lass!"

Said Angus.  "How well ye are lookin'!"

Sit ye doon while I take a wee nip of your cake—

I hinna yet sampled yer cookin'!"

The cake was a treat to the little old man

Who lived on a bachelor's diet.

Thought he:  "Cake like this is deservin' a kiss --

But I dinna hae courage to try it!

As the two shared the snack, little Sandie McMouse

Soon scented the cake and the biscuit,

And starved to a whisker, the poor little frisker

Decided he'd just have to risk it!

Stealing out of his nook, he ran up to the chair

Where the widow sat nibbling and rocking,

And sniffing a scrap of the cake on her lap,

He ascended the slope of her stocking.

"Heavens above!" cried the Widow McGee,

And for speed there was no one could match her,

As she leapt from her place with a vigor and grace

Quite astounding for one of her stature.

Sprinting to Angus, she fell on his lap,

And surprised and delighted was he

To find in his arms that plump bundle of charms,

The tempestuous Widow McGee.

The end of the story is easy to guess:

They wed on that very same spot

And lived ever after on crumpets and laughter,

Each loving the other a lot.

Aware that their "Cupid" is living nearby

In their neat little, sweet little house,

They're careful to scatter the crumbs from their platter

For fat little Sandie McMouse! 

                           Ernestine Cobern Beyer

                           Artist Leo Harrington