A Field Mouse Orchestra.

The message came through to Tom late afternoon, brought by a nervous and

out of breath junior field mouse, it was from the senior field mouse and it said

"The field mice would like to form an orchestra." Tom read the badly written

and scrappy note and was completely taken aback. Where to start?

It meant that each field mouse would need to learn and these instruments

would need to be found, but where? The nervous messenger waited beside him

for an answer. Tom used the back of the note to write "Leave it with me."

Tom went and sat in his favourite patch of vegetation by the stream, having 

demaolished a bowl of cat kibble to keep him going. As he sat, tail curled round

him, a long line of ants went past him. The ant bringing up the rear stopped and

spoke to him " Hello Tom, you are looking puzzled can we help?" Tom related

the problem and the ant replied "I have an idea that might help." There is an old

barn at the end of the village and I am sure that I have seen some musical

instruments in the straw there left by a band that used to play in the village long ago."

Tom thanked him and uncurled himself and went to have a look. The ant had been

right, there were a few violins, double-basses and trumpets, all  very dirty but

looked as though they could be used. It was a start but now he had to find a teacher.

Once again the ant was helpful. There was an elderly cat who had once taught

music and who lived in the village. T om was given the address and went to see

her. She agreed to teach the firld mice to play the various instruments on condition

that only the gifted ones would be taught which meant that they would probably

end up as a string quartet rather than an orchestra. She was quite right, very few

were able to master the intricases of a musical instrument. Once they thought

that they were able to play they devoted all their time to practising. The noise was horrible and the field mice not selected took to their heels and fled down their burrows shutting the doors

firmly behind them. Tom took the matter in hand as tactfully as possible suggesting

that they find some other occupation!!.