Story The Wedding of the Mice (Read and Listen)

Adaptation of the Japanese folk tale

Many, many years ago, in the distant lands of Japan, there lived two little mice that

They were totally in love with each other and were very happy together. They loved playing hide-and-seek, sniffing the fresh grass, exploring the deepest molehills, and sharing little pieces of cheese at snack time.

They loved each other so much that they were convinced that they would soon get married and create a beautiful family. In everyone’s eyes, they were a charming couple.

Well, not everyone, because unfortunately, the little mouse’s father did not think the same. He adored her daughter and a field mouse did not seem like the right husband for her. Her aspirations went much further. One day, he said to his wife:

– Our daughter deserves to spend the rest of her life with someone truly important. I want her to marry the sun because she is the strongest in the world and will protect her from any danger. That insignificant little mouse can now go looking for someone else!

The mouse father wanted his little girl to marry the sun! The little mouse, who heard the conversation from her room, was horrified and ran out to tell her beloved boyfriend.

– What are we going to do? My father is ambitious but I refuse to accept his plans. I want to marry you and no one else! I am not going to allow anything or anyone to separate us.

– Don’t worry, my love, don’t worry, we’ll think of something!

The two young mice met every day under the shade of an orange tree to try to find a solution to such a big problem. One day, while they were talking, a very old mouse passed by. Although she walked with a cane, she still retained the lucidity and wisdom that comes with her age. The old woman noticed that the young rodents were very sad and she approached them at a slow but sure pace.

– Good afternoon! You should be enjoying this wonderful summer day but I get the feeling that something is heavy in your heart. If you allow me, perhaps I can help you.

The little mouse looked up and timidly answered him.

– Good evening Madam. I am very upset because my father wants me to marry the sun and what I love is my boyfriend, the nicest and kindest mouse in the world.

The old mouse frowned and touched her nose to think better.

– Uhm!… So that’s it? Don’t worry, I’ll go talk to him and get those absurd ideas out of his head!

Minutes later, the small, toothless mouse showed up at her father’s house. She knew he was a stubborn rodent, so she got straight to the point to make herself more convincing.

– Good morning sir! I just found out that he wants to marry her daughter to the sun because she thinks he is the strongest in the world.

– That’s how it will be because that’s how I’ve decided!

– Well, I’m sorry to tell you that you’re wrong. The sun is the king of stars, but it’s not the strongest at all!

– Why do you say that, madam?

– Have you not noticed that the sun continually hides behind the clouds? Maybe he’s more cowardly than he seems…

– I hadn’t thought about it and maybe you’re right… I’ll marry my daughter to a cloud!

– With a cloud? Well, it’s not a good choice either. You already know that no matter how big and thick the storm clouds are, the wind manages to blow them far away with a simple blow.

– Wow, it’s true!… Decided: the wind will be the chosen one.

– Let’s see, sir, think again: the wind cannot pass through walls and on the other hand, we, simple mice, make tunnels with our teeth. If I were you, I would think better before making a mistake.

– Wow! I had not realized that rodents have a force that the wind does not have… I will marry my little daughter to a mouse! Of course, it won’t be with a vulgar and weak guy. It will have to be with the strongest of all the mice!

The wise mouse, very skillfully, managed to convince him to accept a mouse for his daughter and at least the young lover would still have a chance to be the one chosen. Without saying much more, she took her cane and returned to her house very happy.

The father, determined to find the perfect husband for his daughter, organized a strength competition and called all the mice interested in marrying her. The test was that the suitors had to fight two by two. The first one to fall to the ground would be automatically eliminated.

The weaker ones didn’t have much to do and were immediately expelled from the game. Some resisted a little longer, but everyone was overcome by a plump mouse with long mustaches who considered himself the most handsome and muscular in the entire region.

There was only one missing who had not yet tried his luck because he was the last one on the list: the little mouse’s boyfriend. The poor man, next to the strong fighter, looked like a flea that didn’t even reach his waist.

When the whistle blew to give way to the grand final, the fight began. Indeed, the strength of the big mouse was enormous, but if something characterized the little mouse it was intelligence. Since he knew that he had everything to lose, he concentrated on resisting and dodging the blows. The strong mouse tried to smack him here and there, but he slipped away with hardly any effort and without even the slightest scratch. After an hour, the big mouse was so physically and mentally exhausted from so much effort, that he had to give up. Overwhelmed, he exclaimed:

– This mouse is small and skinny, but no one can beat him. He moves more than a grasshopper and has amazing willpower! I give up!

What an uproar was formed! All the animals attending the event began to applaud and the little mouse ran out to hug her fiancé. The father could not deny the evidence and, clearing his voice, he addressed his audience:

– I have understood that what is important is not physical strength, but determination and talent. Little one, you have managed to impress me. You will be the one who marries my beloved daughter. Congratulations to both of you!

And so it was: the couple had a beautiful fairytale wedding, they had many cute little mice and they were very happy for the rest of their lives.