Mavi the Hero
It was an extraordinary meeting of all members in the cavernous meeting hall. Every mouse in the community had been ordered to attend and a variety of cheeses were offered as an inducement. But the hall was practically empty. It was not because the mice had other more pressing demands on their time, nor that they had developed a dislike for the varieties of cheese on offer, but that the community had been decimated by the arrival of a brown monster with big claws, huge and accurate pounce and an insatiable appetite for the mice. Chief Molder had called the meeting to discuss the catastrophe and how to counter it.

The Chief, flanked by the two surviving members of her council of twelve, called the meeting to order by beating her mighty tail on the ground. A deadly hush settled on the meeting. After a pause of suitable duration the chief stretched to her full length and started speaking.

“Fellow citizens of Haipo, we are meeting today to deal with an extremely grievous situation. The survival of our race is at stake. I do not need to remind you that in our previous meeting there was not enough room in this hall for all of us and the vast majority voted to expand the hall. The contract was duly awarded after a ferociously contested bidding process. But then the calamity struck. A monster arrived and our contractor was the first to fall victim to his claws followed by most of our citizens over next few days. Now it is a do-or-die situation. We have to face the monster and somehow make him return to his homeland. I have spent sleepless days and sleepless nights. I do not know what to suggest. I do hope there is someone here who has a credible notion of what options we have before our race disappears from the holes of Haipo.”

Silence returned to the hall. Then Mandrew, the reigning Mr. Haipo, raised his tail. The Chief invited him to come to the podium and speak his mind. Mandrew was too shy to face the public; He shrank to his minimum length and whispered just loud enough for all to hear, “I do not have any suggestions, honorable madam. But I have an offer. I will marry, if she will accept me, any of the young mice present here who will cause the demise, at least the departure, of the monster causing havoc among our population.” With that he slunk back but the cheers from all and sundry were loud and sustained enough to risk the collapse of the roof.

The Chief responded graciously as behooved her position, “Thank you Mandrew for your so very generous offer. I am certain this has caused much tumult in the hearts of young mice present here. May I ask our brave next generation if any of them has any ideas?”

The beating of the tail was heard from the far corner where Mavi was sitting all alone. The Chief invited her to come to the podium and explain her ideas and how they can be implemented. Mavi did not move but said in a loud, but not too loud, voice and a clear tone, “My language skills are not developed enough to explain my ideas to this august company. I do not ask for any help either. All I wish for you to do is to follow me from a safe distance and observe what happens. If I succeed we will be saved but if I fail please do not treat me like a martyr but like a fool who was too small for her boots.”

Mavi turned around and headed for the door. Mice, young and old, watched her leave and then came out after a suitable interval of time, the chief leading them from behind. Mavi crawled to an open area and stood on her hind legs to attract attention. The events unfolded just as she expected. She felt the draught from the pounce of the monster. The monster landed where Mavi was showing her grey tummy to the world. But not on Mavi; she had moved away smartly and was running helter skelter towards the road which was in normal times out of bounds to mice her age. The monster followed like a streak. Mavi crossed the road, so did the monster. Mavi ran along the road and then crossed it again. Monster continued the chase. Mavi did this, as did the monster, who knows how many times. Mice watching from the ditches far away were in too much of suspense to count. Neither of the contestants was ready to give up, although others were starting to tire just watching them. Then, without a warning, Mavi stopped dead on her tracks in the middle of the road. The monster pounced one last time. Mice closed their eyes. Screeching sound and a tragic prolonged meeeeoooow pierced the air. Mavi was seen cartwheeling on the other side of the road. He spied other mice in the distance and ran up to join the cheering group. The chief rushed to hug Mavi. But Mavi had something more urgent on her mind. She was looking for Mandrew and found him hiding behind a bush, “Is your offer of marriage still open?” Mandrew did not speak but his demeanour satisfied Mavi. He joined the chief and they, their tails intertwined, led the group to the community hall. You don’t need me to tell you that the celebrations lasted well into the night.

Twelve members of the council met after the anniversary celebration of the Great Victory and unanimously approved the much needed expansion of the community hall.

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