Uncle Virgil Hunnicutt ... all but deaf and well-nigh blind ... rumoured to be well above one hundred years of age and a near genius, dazzlingly skilled in any field with an astronomically immense IQ ... sat at the dinner table ... before him a large bowlful of hot grits covered with clumps of melting creamery butter piled high atop ... to one side a platter bearing a stack of crisp, apple-cured bacon, along with a pitcher of thick gravy made from its grease ... strategically placed on the other side was a tall glassful of fresh buttermilk, and a tray loaded down with homemade biscuits also coated with that tantalizing butter ... a jarful of elderberry jam at the ready ... Virgil could hardly wait to thrill his restless tastebuds and dig in ...
Just as Virgil was about to dip into the toothsome contents of that bowl with his spoon he heard what sounded like light scuffling ... seemingly out of nowhere approached a tiny mouse skittering apace across the table and right up to the edge of that bowl which held the grits .. it then perched on its hindquarters while leaning over the bowl's brim for a better look and a whiff of the steaming fare ... its elongated front teeth, beady eyes, exceptionally long whiskers and tail and over-sized ears made the diminutive critter appear more than a bit cartoonish ... suddenly Uncle Virgil thought he could hear the faint sound of a voice speaking to him ... he looked down at that little mouse which was quizzically peering back up at him with its piercing eyes ... surely not thought Virgil ... then setting all doubts aside Virgil heard the squeaky voice yet again, although now clearly and loudly "I say, excuse me sir, please forgive my forwardness ... but those grits smell delightful ... may I impose upon your manifest kindness and generosity ... and have a taste for myself?" said the mouse ...
Uncle Virgil quickly put down his spoon and slid his chair away from the table ...then looking all around the cramped yet tidy kitchen he made sure nobody else was there before he replied "but of course, help yourself" ... at which the lilliputian rodent stuck his long snout right into those grits gulping down a huge mouthful ... "exquisite ... absolutely scrumptious ... much better than stale bread crumbs and orange peels from off the dirty floor ... perfectly cooked ... my compliments to the chef! proclaimed the mouse ... "may I have some more, and would you mind if my wife joined us?" the bantam creature presumptuously enquired as a daintier mouse crept nervously toward her mate ... the ever charitable Virgil complied "but of course, eat your fill ... by the way, if I may but be so bold as to ask your names?" ... the mouse again pulled his snout from the bowl, his whiskers now coated with butter and grits as he answered "my apologies sir, I suppose the aroma emanating from this delectable food must have stymied my good manners ... my name is Rickie, and this is my dear wife Ginnie" ... Virgil now more at ease responded in kind "glad to meet you both ... my name is Virgil Hunnicutt ... welcome to my home" ... "do you have any children?" he added ... "why yes we do, four in fact, they're called Eenie, Meanie, Miny and Moe ... they're now hiding 'neath the table with their friends, may they dine too?" begged the mouse ... "sure they may, there's plenty enough for everyone" exclaimed Virgil as four baby mice rushed toward the grub ... well before Virgil realized it there were hundreds of mice attacking and consuming his dinner as he looked down to see but a single spoonful of grits and a dab of butter left untouched in the bottom of the bowl ... "better eat up" quipped the mouse "before it's all gone!" ... Virgil grabbed his spoon scooping up the last of the grits and just as he brought it to his lips -- he awakened in a cold sweat bolting upright in his bed from the disconcerting nightmare ... his covers twisted in knots ... his overstuffed stomach roiling and rumbling ...
Uncle Virgil Hunnicutt came to a couple of solid conclusions that early morning just afore sunrise ... he would never again consume bacon, gravy, grits or buttermilk right before retiring to bed for the night ... and he would adopt a cat the very next day ... a good "mouser" if one could be had -- just in case!
--sja
