"All my life I'm listening to people, I don't know why I'm always listening to people." The little mouse complained as he paced to and fro the room.
Jumat, the little master of the house watched in amusement as he sat quietly by the wooden door leading to his Mom's room, holding unto his slingshot. The 8-year-old who was born mute loved taking game like rabbit, quail and squirrel, so each year, his Dad included a new slingshot in his birthday presents.
His big eyes were curious as they followed the mouse’s every move. No one else in their house knew that he could hear the little rodent, not Dad out there in the garden preparing compost or Mom cooking their lunch in the kitchen. It was a secret he was not willing to divulge just yet.
So only Jumat heard the numerous complaints of the little mouse.
"Talk here, talk there... Do this, do that… And who listens to the mouse, eh? Nobody!" the mouse huffed, stopping to scratch behind his ear with a tiny paw.
Jumat smiled, his amusement heightening.
The mouse blinked. "You do hear me, don’t you? I've always suspected that you could!" He stood up taller, whiskers twitching as he watched Jumat closely.
"How come you are able to hear me? You really are a strange one you know." He whispered.
"Maybe you and I… we could be friends?"
Jumat nodded gently, his face lighting up in a toothy smile.
"My name’s Sylvester Kyle, Sly Kyle for short" the mouse said, puffing out his little chest. "But everyone addresses me as Kyle the Complainer. Is that fair, is it? I have things to say but no one is listening! They'd rather set traps and poison my treats and scream all over the place. No one cares about how I feel."
Jumat’s eyes softened as the little one complained about the mistreatments he had suffered, the hunger he had had to endure.
"I'm tired of being denied everything in this house, including cheese", he smacked his lips in nostalgia, "I remember when your Mom used to leave it carelessly in the pantry, oh I would have my fill and take some back to my family, huummph." He snorted as his eyes met the boy's sympathetic gaze.
"You must help me with a little… err… problem. Say, do you think you could get me some cheese? For me and my little ones? Kyle pleaded as he clasped his paws together.
The boy nodded gently.
Jumat stood up, dusting his knees, his face was calm, but in his heart, something stirred, empathy. His family had so much money and so much cheese in the pantry, Kyle and his family should always have some and not go hungry.
And so, the strangest friendship began, between Sly Kyle the mouse, and Jumat the mute boy.
That night, under the glow of the lantern and while everyone slept, they crept toward the pantry. By the time they were leaving, Kyle had loads of cheese and treats to his heart's delight.
By the exit door, the mouse paused, looking up to Jumat, whiskers twitching.
With a sign Jumat understood too well, he enquired if there was any problem.
"In the storeroom are some enormous rats, so big that they feel they are the masters of the entire house. They consider me a mere thing, bossing me around and taking away everything. I am tired, Jumat, tired of their bullying."
Kyle set his cheese bags down and climbed up on a little stool.
"You and me, kid, let's show them, let them know that even the quiet ones, can roar the loudest."
The boy's eyes glittered like the stars at dawn. He clapped softly once.
"Does that mean you are in?"
The boy nodded.
A few hours later, still under the brightness of the moon, they slipped into the darkness, with Kyle leading the way. The wooden floor groaned under Jumat's careful feet, but the mouse was as light as air.
"Stay close," Kyle advised. "These rats… they really won’t like anyone trying to change the order of things."
Jumat's heart pounded with excitement as he kept his slingshot in his pocket.
By the time they arrived at the storeroom, the scent of grains, together with stale and fresh food, filled the air. The rats were all in one big circle, fat and fierce, their eyes glinting in the dim light. In the very middle sat Morocco, the biggest of all rats with airs of royal dignity.
"So, the little complainer returns. And this time… he brings a human?" The sneer in Morocco's voice was unmistakable as he looked upon Kyle.
The other rats roared with laughter, their yellow teeth flashing as they jeered at both Kyle and Jumat.
"Yes, I brought him and I’m here to say "No more oppression! No more bossing me around! No more stealing from me and my family." He spoke courageously as the rats sneered at him.
"And who's going to make that happen?" Morocco asked in disdain.
The rats fell as they roared with laughter.
Jumat, watching silently, felt something rise inside him, he may not have words, but he had spirit. He reached into his pocket and brought out his secret weapon — his slingshot!
With a flick, he shot a pebble right at Morocco's crown, knocking it off. The room fell silent.
The rats growled, inching closer, but Jumat was ever ready, pebbles flew from his slingshot hitting all directions as the startled rats took cover. Kyle as quick as lightning, darted forward and bit Morocco's tail.
Chaos erupted.
The rats scattered in terror, disappearing into holes and cracks. All except Kyle who stood victorious on top of an overturned basket.
The noise brought Jumat's Mom running in, lantern in hand.
Jumat stood too, breathing hard but smiling wide.
His mother blinked, seeing only her boy in an empty storeroom.
"Jumat? What are you doing here at this hour?" she asked softly, kneeling beside him.
For the first time, Jumat looked her in the eyes and opened his mouth. No sound came, but he pointed to his chest, then to his Mom, then made a sign for "strong" with his small hands.
His Mom's eyes were filled with tears. She pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Yes, my son… you are strong...... very strong."
From his perch, Sly Kyle watched and muttered. "Mission accomplished!"
As the night settled again, peace returned to the house. The rats never dared to challenge Kyle again neither did him and his family go hungry again. Thanks to Jumat, the brave and kind boy.
And in the quiet moments, when no one was looking, he and Kyle would sit together — the mouse telling stories, and Jumat listening, not because he had to… but because he chose to.
Images are AI generated.
Thank you for reading.
