The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mouse's Wedding
by Unknown · from The Mouse's Wedding
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a father mouse and mother mouse had a beautiful daughter. They lived in a cozy hole under a big tree. Little Mouse was sweet and kind. Her parents loved her very much.
"We want the best husband for her," said Father Mouse one sunny morning. "Yes, the very best," said Mother Mouse softly. "He must be the most powerful," said Father Mouse. "The most powerful in the whole world," agreed Mother Mouse.
Father Mouse was very proud. He puffed out his chest. He thought and thought. "I know!" he said. "The Sun is the most powerful. He shines on everything!"
So Father Mouse climbed a tall hill. The Sun was high in the sky. "Dear Sun!" called Father Mouse. "Please, will you marry my daughter? You are the most powerful!"
The Sun smiled a warm, golden smile. "Oh, little mouse," he said kindly. "I am not the most powerful. The Cloud is more powerful. He can cover my whole face with his big, soft body."
Father Mouse looked up. A fluffy Cloud floated by. "Oh!" said Father Mouse. He thanked the Sun and hurried to find the Cloud.
"Dear Cloud!" called Father Mouse. "Please, will you marry my daughter? You are the most powerful!"
The Cloud floated softly. "Oh, little mouse," he whispered gently. "I am not the most powerful. The Wind is more powerful. He can push me all across the sky."
Father Mouse felt a breeze. The Wind was blowing. "Oh!" said Father Mouse. He thanked the Cloud and ran to find the Wind.
"Dear Wind!" called Father Mouse. "Please, will you marry my daughter? You are the most powerful!"
The Wind blew quickly. "Whoosh! I am not the most powerful," he said in a fast, breezy voice. "The Wall is more powerful. He can stand strong and stop all my blowing."
Father Mouse saw a stone wall. "Oh!" said Father Mouse. He thanked the Wind and scurried to the Wall.
"Dear Wall!" called Father Mouse. "Please, will you marry my daughter? You are the most powerful!"
The Wall stood very strong and still. "Oh, little mouse," he said in a slow, deep voice. "I am not the most powerful. You mice are more powerful. You can gnaw right through me with your sharp little teeth."
Father Mouse stopped. He looked at his own small paws. He looked at his own small teeth. He thought about the Sun, the Cloud, the Wind, and the Wall.
Then he smiled a big, happy smile. "Mice are strong too!" he said. "We are powerful in our own way!"
Father Mouse ran all the way home. He told Mother Mouse everything. They both looked at Little Mouse, who was playing with a tiny flower.
They found a handsome young mouse from their own community. He was kind and strong. Little Mouse liked him very much.
Soon, there was a big, happy wedding. All the mice came. They wore little flower hats. They danced and cheered. There was music and tiny cakes.
Little Mouse and the young mouse were very happy. Father Mouse and Mother Mouse were proud. They learned that true power and the best things can be found right in your own home.
Original Story
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mouse's Wedding
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Title: The Mouse's Wedding
Release date: December 8, 2008 [eBook #27456]
Most recently updated: January 4, 2021
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Louise Hope
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOUSE'S WEDDING ***
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Story DNA
Moral
True strength and power are not always found in the most obvious or boastful places, and one should consider all options before making important decisions.
Plot Summary
A proud father mouse seeks the most powerful husband for his beautiful daughter. He first approaches the Sun, who defers to the Cloud. The Cloud then defers to the Wind, who in turn defers to the Wall. Finally, the Wall reveals that mice are the most powerful because they can gnaw through it. Realizing that true strength lies within his own kind, the father mouse arranges for his daughter to marry a handsome young mouse, and they live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale is a classic example of a cumulative folk tale, often used to teach children about humility and perspective. The specific version provided is an English translation.
Plot Beats (8)
- A father mouse and mother mouse have a beautiful daughter and wish for her to marry the most powerful being in the world.
- The father mouse decides the Sun is the most powerful and approaches him for his daughter's hand.
- The Sun explains that the Cloud is more powerful because it can cover him.
- The mice then approach the Cloud, who explains that the Wind is more powerful because it can blow him away.
- The mice then approach the Wind, who explains that the Wall is more powerful because it can stop him.
- The mice then approach the Wall, who explains that mice are more powerful because they can gnaw through him.
- The father mouse realizes that a mouse is the most powerful being after all.
- The mouse daughter is happily married to a handsome young mouse from their own community.
Characters
The Mouse's Wedding
A digital text, presented as an eBook. The original printed version was produced by the Kobunsha in Tokyo, Japan, suggesting a possible Japanese aesthetic for any accompanying illustrations. The digital version mentions 'illustration borders' and a 'background pattern taken from the original book, but has been lightened for readability.'
Attire: Not applicable, as it is a story/ebook.
Wants: To inform readers about the terms of use for Project Gutenberg eBooks and to ensure the free and open distribution of public domain works.
Flaw: Its primary weakness is the complete lack of narrative content, making it unengaging as a 'story' in the traditional sense.
The 'story' does not have a narrative arc; it is a static document outlining terms and conditions.
Informative, legalistic, and somewhat dry, focused on copyright and distribution terms rather than narrative content. It is generous in its aim to provide free access to literature.
Locations
Mouse's Home
A cozy, humble dwelling, likely a burrow or a small space within a larger human structure, with details suggesting a traditional Japanese home, perhaps with tatami mats or simple wooden furnishings scaled for mice.
Mood: Warm, safe, domestic, a place of family and concern.
The mouse parents decide their daughter must marry the most powerful being in the world.
The Sun's Domain
A vast, open expanse dominated by the radiant, golden presence of the Sun, likely depicted as a powerful, anthropomorphic figure or a source of immense light and heat, with a clear, boundless sky.
Mood: Awe-inspiring, powerful, overwhelming, bright.
The mouse father approaches the Sun to ask for his daughter's hand, only to learn the Cloud is more powerful.
The Cloud's Realm
A sky filled with dense, dark, and heavy clouds, suggesting an impending storm or a period of continuous rain, with a sense of vastness and moisture.
Mood: Gloomy, damp, powerful, expansive.
The mouse father approaches the Cloud, who demonstrates his power over the Sun by obscuring it, but then reveals the Wind is stronger.
The Wind's Domain
An open, exposed landscape where the wind can rage unimpeded, perhaps a barren plain or a mountain pass, with elements showing the force of the wind.
Mood: Wild, untamed, forceful, chaotic.
The mouse father encounters the Wind, who demonstrates his power by blowing away the clouds, but then admits the Wall is more powerful.
The Wall's Location
A sturdy, immovable wall, likely made of stone or packed earth, possibly part of a traditional Japanese building or garden, showing signs of age and resilience.
Mood: Solid, unyielding, ancient, steadfast.
The mouse father finds the Wall, which stands firm against the Wind, but then learns the Mouse is more powerful.