Perfect Christmouse Pic

It’s that time of year again: that time when we all can use a bit of a break from the holiday hustle, a bit of diversion for the impatient kids in all of us, a bit of a reminder of why we celebrate. Thankfully, Susanna Hill has just the solution! Below are the rules – followed by my 341-word entry. Check out all of the fabulous entries on her blog. Put your feet up, gather the young (and old) ones around, and enjoy!

The Contest:  Write a children’s story (children here defined as approximately age 12 and under) beginning with any version of “Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop.”  You may use that actual opening, or you may change it to any similar version “[Verb of your choice]ing [any preposition you choose] the [any item you choose] [any preposition you choose] the [venue of your choice].”  …. Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words….

Following, without further ado:

Perfect Christmouse Pic’

Sneaking out from the burrow at night, in search of Santa Claus.
Not a creature was stirring, except Margaret Mouse,
Who had visions of the perfect pic to gift to dear Mama.
As the chiming clock struck one, up Margaret did run;
Her furry brothers, Mick and Tim, in hot pursuit. 

Creeping into the Mall at night, on their way to Santa Claus.
Just like the three blind mice, stealthy, silent as could be.
Trying locked windows and doors, checking cracks in walls and floors.
As the clock struck two, Margaret knew just what to do;
Determined brothers, Mick and Tim, did follow suit.

Scurrying through the Mall at night, as they searched for Santa Claus.
Quiet as a mouse, the trio seeking Santa’s house;
Until ahead they did see: huge, horrid, hissing Miss Kitty.
As the clock struck three, Margaret’s frightened as could be;
Her fearful brothers, Mick and Tim, quaked timidly.

Scrambling away from Kitty Cat, and her dagger-like, sharp claws.
Visions of mouse mince pies flashed in front of Kitty’s eyes;
But eagle-eyed Margaret spied Santa’s photo booth instead.
As the clock struck four, Margaret headed under door,
Zigzagging brothers, Mick and Tim, in hot pursuit.

Posing inside the photo booth, at the Mall with Santa Claus.
Margaret with perfect smile, dressed in holiday style.
Brothers’ fur a whirling mess, with smudged faces and sloppy dress.
As the clock struck five, Margaret wearied of their jive;
Those goofy brothers, Mick and Tim, such silly mice.

Grabbing the photo in gilded frame, with tiny, grimy paws.
Margaret screeched, reached and wrangled to snatch that pic back
From those conniving, striving, oh-so-annoying, bitty Bro’s.
As the clock struck six, Margaret hoped for no more tricks,
From pesky brothers, Mick and Tim, those nasty lads.

Sneaking into the burrow this morn, held pic with Santa Claus.
One busy creature was stirring, beloved Mama Mouse.
“You all look perfect,” she exclaimed; “And it’s beautifully framed.”
As the clock struck seven, Margaret was in heaven;
Imperfect brothers, Mick and Tim, flashed Christmouse grins.