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Proposal • | ||||
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An Invitation to Tea | ||||
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© 2001 Olivia Janna Genereaux | ||||
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An Invitation to Tea, ____ words and _____ iillustrations Summary: The butterflies that Miss Maria Mouse feels growing in her belly before her expected guests arrive is a metaphor for her mounting nervousness at being the hostess. Upon arrival of the butterfly guests, Miss Maria Mouse smiles and enjoys her own party. | ||||
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• The World of Mousetopia | |||
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Proposal • | |||
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An Invitation to Tea Sitting on her heart shaped stool, at her heart shaped desk, looking out at the heart shaped flowers, which line her path, Miss Maria Mouse sings, Anticipation is what a party is about An invitation is sent out Happy shouts! Tis time to get ready Bake and Decorate Before we all can celebrate. Miss Maria Mouse has put the finishing touches on her heart shaped invitations as Christopher Post Mouse arrives at the door. There is one addressed to him. Opening his invitation carefully, he reads out loud, Come to my Butterfly garden for a Butterfly surprise! Treats and summer drinks will be served. One hour past noon, on Butterfly Lane. Sincerely, Miss Maria Mouse. "Will you be hungry for my special treats?" asks Miss Maria Mouse. Christopher Post Mouse's stomach growls loudly, "I am already hungry!" Brimming with excitement Miss Maria Mouse searches for a recipe. "This is perfect!" she exclaims. "Today's treat will be Secret Meringue Hearts." Secret Meringue Hearts Six robin eggs separated One-cup sugar One teaspoon cream of tartar Beat only egg whites until Glossy Mountains form Add the sugar a spoonful at a time Now add the secret ingredient: one teaspoon of red grenadine Cook one hour at a low temperature Miss Maria Mouse makes baking an exact scientific process where simple ingredients turn into delectable treats. As Miss Maria Mouse puts the tray into the oven she wonders out loud: "Will there be enough food? Will it be fun? Will the Butterflies come?" | |||
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• The World of Mousetopia | |||
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Carrying the tea tray nimbly to the garden she searches the sky looking for her butterflies. Then, Miss Maria Mouse feels wriggling in her stomach. "If I didn't know better, I would think I ate caterpillars for breakfast." While decorating the table with a flourish of small loose petals and fluted flowers, Miss Maria Mouse feels more wriggling in her stomach. "Maybe the caterpillars have changed into butterflies?" She thinks. When sun reaches the appointed height in the sky, her guests arrive. The air is charged with exciting happy shouts. "Hello my little mice. Where have you been this fine morning?" says Miss Maria Mouse. She is light on her feet due to all the fluttering in her stomach. "We have been playing hide and seek. I have my super vision, which can see into and past things. This makes it so I can see Sleepers behind every rock and tree." Says Beepers with his eyes as big as saucers. Sleepers, his brother, says dreamily, "I've been day dreaming of ways to save my rock and seed collection from a bevy of bees." | |||
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Proposal • | |||
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"Oh, Sleepers, you are always a hero of your dreams and mine." Miss Maria Mouse says tenderly. Wee Hanna Head runs up with her bottle of lightning bugs. "How ever did you manage to find so many?" Miss Maria Mouse asks. "You have to climb trees. Some day I'll show Beepers and Sleepers how," Wee Hanna Head says with a smile. Sally Dog gives a big slobbery puppy dog kiss to Miss Maria Mouse who smiles as she wipes her face with her handkerchief. Miss Miami, the oldest mouse in Mousetopia, teeters along the walkway of the Butterfly Garden. She grins a toothless grin. Christopher Post Mouse has helped carry her bean and gelatin dessert from her home to the tea party. Before they left, they had been searching for her teeth. "I lost my teeth when I was cooking my bean, carrot and gelatin dessert," mumbles Miss Miami. "Can anybody find them?" John Starr gracefully comes up to Miss Miami's side and takes a bow saying, "I am at your service." His eyes and golden star twinkle in the sun as he helps Miss Miami to the garden. Turning the last corner, they see the other guests in the Butterfly garden. The table reveals itself. Its shiny new green leaf tablemats sparkle in the sun. A plate of pastel pink colored meringue form a delicate towering centerpiece. Each guest begins by taking a meringue heart from the top of the tower. Delicately holding it, they each take a bite. Brittle, light, and fragile, tiny bits break off with each nibble. Sweetness dissolves on their tongues. Miss Maria Mouse relaxes as the meringue fills her belly. The towering centerpiece seems never ending. Beepers shouts, "Look! There are Miss Miami's teeth. Right here in the gelatin, bean and carrot dessert. I see them with my extra special vision." Miss Maria Mouse knows now is time for the butterfly surprise. Raising her arms skyward, she whispers her wish, looks towards the sun and claps sharply three times. Noiselessly, a fluttering cloud of color comes from the green fields and trees beyond, shimmering above everyone's heads. Miss Maria Mouse smiles as each butterfly gently flutters above them. The most beautiful butterfly of all alights on Miss Maria Mouse's nose. Delighted, she says, "Now all the butterflies are at the party and no longer in my stomach!" | |||
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• The World of Mousetopia | |||
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Proposal • | |||
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• The World of Mousetopia | |||
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Proposal • | |||
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Mousetopia's characters from bottom right, clockwise: John Starr, Christopher Postmouse, Jealousy the Cat, Beepers, Sleepers, Miss Maria Mouse, Sally Dog, Wee Hann Head and Miss Miami. | |||
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• The World of Mousetopia | |||
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Image:
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