A mouse in the house

“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover; hard to find and lucky to have.” — Irish Proverb

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Once upon a time, a curious mouse wandered into a house inhabited by a couple of bears. He then proceeded to explore the house from top to bottom. He went from room to room sniffing and examining everything within its reach.
He squeaked with delight when he came across some breadcrumbs left by Papa Bear and Mama Bear.
This looks like a good place to settle in, he thought in petto.

When she first saw the mouse, Mama Bear shrieked and hid behind the kitchen counter.
– Papa Bear she cried, there is a MO– USE in our house. Do something… chase him away.
– Have no fear, said Papa Bear, Bear Force One is here. He went to the broom closet, grabbed a fearful looking corn broom and went after the intruder.

The mouse, upon seeing mountainous Papa Bear exclaimed:

– You would not hit someone smaller than you, would you Monsieur Bear?
– Do you speak French? asked a startled Papa Bear.
– Mais naturellement Monsieur. I went to La Sorbonne in Paris, like all educated people.
– Oh excuse me said Papa Bear. I thought that you were a burglar.
– Not at all, said the mouse. I am an artist looking for a quiet place to perform my art.
– Do you have any money asked Papa Bear?
– Non Monsieur! We artists exchange art for food and lodging, just like Van Gogh, Vermeer, Cezanne did… Money means rien du tout to us. We live for and by art Monsieur.
-I see said Papa Bear scratching his head.

He then called Mama Bear and introduced her to the mouse.
–Enchanté, said the mouse.

Mama Bear blushed and curtsied.
-The pleasure is ours Monsieur.
– What is your name Monsieur asked Papa Bear?
– My name is Cyrano Federov, said the mouse bowing. A votre service.
– Federov you said?
– Yes, I have some Slavic blood flowing through my veins…
– So do we, said Papa Bear. By golly Cyrano, we could be related…
– Everything is possible, said the mouse.
– Well, said Papa Bear, I am a patron of the arts and since we are a blood relatives, we can offer food and lodging in exchange for a few of your creations. And by the way, what is it exactly that you create?
– I paint Monsieur and I sculpt. As a matter of fact, I would be very obliged to you if you would pose for me.
– Pose for you? What an honor Cyrano… But am I not too… fat…?
– Pas du tout Monsieur. Your broadness is a sign of dignified respectability. Henry VIII of England also had a respectable girth…
– Well then, said Papa Bear, since we are in total agreement, why don’t you stay for dinner?
– Vous êtes trop bon Monsieur Bear… I accept.

And that’s how Cyrano Federov became BFF with Papa Bear whose real name by the way was Biff Stroganoff.

Moral of the story: you can be friends with anybody, regardless of size, creed and weight.

Alain

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