Efi Mouse Girl III: Mauschel

“That was close,” her little brother pants, out of breath.

“Now we’re in the stairwell, but how are we supposed to climb all those steps? We’ll never make it home in time for the presents.”

With a bang, the front door slams shut and another human comes toward them.

“Hold on to the shoelace!” the mouse girl calls.

They jump.

Clinging to the swinging laces as the human walks, they rise step by step. They sway back and forth, climb one floor and draw ever closer to the familiar attic.

Her little brother squeaks with delight, and even Efi lets her guard down for a moment.

Second floor.

Just before they reach their destination, the human turns into an apartment.

“We jump off here,” Efi says. “It’s not far now. But stay with me. It’s dangerous here too.”

“Hello, you two,” a voice calls from a corner.

Papa Mouse rushes toward them. He takes his children in his arms and presses them tightly to his chest.

“I was so worried. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

But something fluffy and black darts from the wardrobe to the dresser.

With a meow, a cat pounces on the mouse family.

Efi and her little brother are knocked aside. They watch as furry paws toy with Papa Mouse.

Efi rushes forward and bravely stands in front of the whimpering mouse.

“Leave him alone. You’re hurting him!”

“My name is Mauschel, and I absolutely love eating mice. You’re small, so you’d better run away, or you’ll be my next course,” she meows before turning back to her prey.

“I’m not small,” Efi replies. “I’m exactly as big as a mouse needs to be—and even a little bigger. But if you don’t leave us alone, I’ll hurt you.”

The cat pays Efi no further attention. She is too absorbed in her game.

So Efi draws her sewing needle and, with all the strength a mouse can muster, stabs the twitching tail.

Hissing, Mauschel leaps up. Eager to attack, she runs her tongue over her teeth and fixes the girl with yellow slit eyes.

“It’s only logical that I eat you. That’s simply how nature works.”

“I may only be a mouse. But when it comes to my family, I fight like a lion! So keep your paws off my papa, so we can celebrate Christmas together.”

Hissing, Mauschel extends her sharp claws.

“It is the season of love, you’re right about that. But what do I get if I let you go? After all, I’d be missing out on a three-course feast.”

Efi thinks hard.

How can she appease this monster?

Then Efi notices something.

“What happened to your tooth?”

“It broke off, and every time I look in the mirror, it makes me sad.”

“Open your mouth. I have an idea!”

Efi takes the white, dull stone from her backpack and places it into the gap.

It fits perfectly.

Happily, Mauschel runs her tongue over the new tooth. The cat purrs softly:

“Thank you.”

She leaves the Mäuserichs behind and trots away.

Papa Mouse hugs his children, but Efi is close to tears.

“I don’t have a present anymore! What kind of Christmas is it if I have nothing for you?”

“What matters far more is that no one was hurt,” Papa Mouse replies. “After all, you are the greatest gifts mouse parents could ever have.”

And so the Mäuserichs celebrate Christmas. They eat marshmallow candy and play “Mouse, Don’t Get Cross.”

This year, with the most important gift of all:

Being together, safe and well.

The End

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