Sweet dreams of friendship

Such a magical evening for Gretta and her friends. As she looked up at the pretty chandelier her mind drifted and drifted to that lovely place of friendship. She lay on her back, looking up and counting her blessings for her friendships that had proven to be true. Through trials and tribulations, twirls and swirls, battles and cries, her merry band of friends, stuck together like glue. Fascination took it's grip as Gretta climbed the stairs and saw the twinkle of candle light. Look at that peaceful human breathing that fire. What a tantalizing night this has been. The sign said "Breath of Life"...could this be for animal friends too?

Up Gretta climbed to the high tower. She saw shadows dancing across the old cabbage rose wall paper. Looking through the key hole on her 4 tipsy toes she saw the human hands called "Loyal Friendship" and Gretta knew, this was the place, that the light never went out. Gretta said her prayers and thanked God for "Loyal Friendship" and the safety there in.

After Dinner

The crème brûlée pumpkin pie sat just right in Rattus's stomach. The Dutchess's grootmoeder had made a spread of all sorts of pastries; she had studied under Escoffier in Paris and passed on her skills to her beloved Dutchess.

After a pleasant conversation, Rattus nodded off while the others chattered away in the kitchen, washing dishes and reminiscing about the Thanksgiving feast. Grootmoeder lulled Rattus to sleep as she told the story about the cabinet that her husband had built and the magical alphabet.....

Let Us Break Bread Together

She has set the most enchanting dinner table for her guests at Hilltop. Let us all sit together and take this break from NOWHERE and give thanks for the love and friendship that embraces us.

Someone called.....

Mozes lifted his head...he distinctly heard someone call...Was it a damsel in distress..no ,it was only his imagination..
-I forgot all about the time...mumbled Mozes...we should be on our way to the Dutchess...Fellow Travelers, he then called out...we must hurry...lets take the Jiffy trail to the Hilltop ...and cellebrate a Thanksgiving feast we will always remember..

Mozes rolled through the snow one more time...Tea watched him do it..and smiled!

Off they went to see there friends in the garden...I am sure Miss Moussie and Gustave will be waiting...Lets go follow...the more the merrier!

The Dutchess already heard that the little troupe was on its way...little birdies always tell her everything...however she seamed somewhat distracted..I believe she and Miss Moussie are keeping a secret..Who knows what we will find on the Hilltop today..
Happy Thanksgiving to you all....

OK, how about a Thanksgiving tale of nonsensical proportions?
Hold on to your wits. Here goes.

'Twas the Nightmare Before Thanksgiving
By Rattus Scribus© 24 November 2009



'Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the land,
every turkey was afraid ending up a meal plan.

The dinner table was arranged with the greatest of care,
but mysteriously not a turkey was found anywhere.

The mother was embarrassed, the father nonplussed;
the children began to complain and to cuss.

The turkey, meanwhile, was partying up,
for avoiding becoming this Thanksgiving's sup.

But then it decided: "Enough is enough!"
And armed to the beak it stormed the house rough.

The chairs it upturned, the china it shattered.
We flew down the stairs to see what was the matter.

Then what to our wondering eyes should appear,
but a crazy-eyed turkey with not one shred of fear.

Its beard, snood and dewlap were grotesque rubbery folds;
its razor-sharp spurs were a dread to behold.

Like lightning it turned when we all at once squealed,
and looked at us, drooling, as if we were the meal.

We tore open the shutters and flew out the window,
and landed like rags on the stones far below.

But we shut out the pain and fled down the dirt track,
that Thanksgiving nightmare shouting, "Don't even look back!"

So I share this tale truly from my heart to thine.
Become vegetarian while you still have the time.

I'M ALL SHOOK UP!

With all the talk of turkey being ate up, dear Gretta girl started to shake and shiver and quiver. She once knew a turkey back in Gothere. One day her dear little turkey friend was sitting in the barnyard and the next day she was gone...never to be seen again! Is this what happened to her??? Gretta decided the safest place to be is curled up in a ball, as tight and she could muster, not causing any fuster, she decided to hide. Not nowhere, not nohow would she be the appetizer for the Thanksgiving table at The Hilltop. She could hear Tea and Rattus calling her name and she could hear the footsteps of Mozes coming her way. Gretta was about to faint with fear, the poor lil' dear!

"Thanksgiving? What ever is that old chap" pondered Rattus. "It is a day when Americans celebrate what they are thankful for; there is a dinner consisting of turkey, potatoes and gravy and other wonderful foods. What do you say we make a go for it and climb on back to Hilltop? I hear that the Dutchess is a fine cook. We do have a key to get back into Nowhere. We can continue our journey after dinner."



The oversized bird and the Dutchess's reputation for being a graduate of Gustave's cooking school convinced Rattus that this was a risk worth taking. "All right old man, but we better get started on our journey now; it is a week's walk to Hilltop from here and we need to gather Gretta and Raccoon. Let's go!"

LIVING IT UP, ON BREAD ALONE

Gretta is a long ways from Gothere and she misses her bread box so. However, while the others were getting low down and cozy, Gretta spotted the bread box. A little jam and butter and bread. Has anyone seen a toaster...cinnamon toast is splendid too! Man may not live on bread alone but Gretta can!

AAh,C'est du Thé

The next morning Rattus and Tea with sleepy eyes stumbled down the stairs to go find some strong tea to start there day...
Together sitting at the breakfast table Tea suddenly giggled..Rattus old chap..I just remembered a very funny story Miss Moussie told me a few months ago...its hilarious..and its al about my favorite subject...TEA!!Shall I tell thee..
Please,said Rattus whilst sipping his Earl Grey,..proceed dear Tea.
Well then...ones upon a time...a few summers ago The Dutchess and her husband traveled to a far away land called Jordan....there they visited a town in a hot and dusty deserted dessert..Petra...It was very beautiful..something out of a fairytale..On a sunny morning they decided to make a long walk up the mountain..this was going to be a difficult journey..nothing but sand and rocks...and a very steep climb.
On there way they met a very old lady..she was sitting there watching a herd of goats.On a little fire she made herself a pot of tea...surprised to see people coming up the mountain she very kindly offered a cup!
The Dutchess and her hubby were warned not to accept this tea from kind little old lady's because doing dishes in the Jordan mountains is very different then in our kitchen..This particular old lady however didn't take no for an answer ..poured in two cups with about five spoons of sugar and gave them to our dear souls with a big smile on her face.
So there they were..standing there with tea they shouldn't and wouldn't drink.
The Dutchess was very clever..very sneaky whilst chattering and smiling she whooshed the tea behind the bushes...But her Hubby..was still holding his teacup not knowing what to do...Luckily for him a group of french backpackers came down the mountain..they greeted very politely..Bonjour..Bonjour..and then turned round the corner out of sight..Just enough diversion to get writ of this tea..the Dutchess's hubby was thinking...and whoosh..there his tea went...over the ridge..and down the mountain..Then suddenly they heard a voice below say...AAAh..C'est du Thé..
You can guess..the tea landed on the head of one the French backpackers...he never knew where this tea came from..
That's so funny...said Rattus..luckily they didn't say Ad Fundum..otherwise this Frenchman now would be...invisible!

The door opened....Mozes,Gretta,and Raccoon tumbled in....Hi Guys...we decided to join you in a hearty breakfast before we travel any further...the weather is terrible...its ever so cold...So our little troupe ordered another pot of tea..to go with a big pile of pancakes. The weather outside was fright full..but the fire so delightful...and since they didn't want to go (yet)what do you think,shall we let it.....snow?

,

THE TOWN CRIER - Read all about it!

Somewhere in Nowhere there is a newspaper circulating; Tea and Rattus were relieved to find a connection to the "civilized" world. "Look at this old thing", whispered Tea. "Rabbit Hill Pub and Restaurant is serving high tea today for half the price. Shall we slip out and risk it?" "What about the others old man?" said Rattus. "Oh, I don't think they would mind if we slipped out for a bit; besides Mozes takes to eating wild things



and I have a bit of indigestion from last night's venison. Oh come now man, listen, we can bring back a hankerchief full of biscuits for Gretta and Racoon and a real kidney pie for Mozes. What do you say we take the back road to Rabbit Hill...eh?"



Rattus was a bit homesick for some good old-fashioned cooking and the ad in the paper had said that Rabbit Hill Pub employed the best chefs in the county, and to their surprise, the head chef was none other than...



yes, it was Cecelie herself. They ordered two whole pies and didn't even make it out the door, for her light touch had created a crust flakier and lighter than a feather and had a soporific effect



and the two friends were then carried up to one of the rooms to sleep off their indulgence for the night.

Splish Splash, Gretta is taking a bath!

Now we are reallllly...having fun! Between tea bubbles and soap bubbles, I just know we've found the answer! Bloop, bloop, pop! It's time to play all day! Look Mozes, I can almost touch bottom! That book with missing words is not a mystery anymore, it contains all the answers, perhaps we shall splash real fast....oh no...I took off my wee little blouseee and left it way back there on that branch with my pants...wheres that key Raccoon? "Oh Gretta, don't expect me to know, I can't even keep track of my old pizza box, the crust in there was delicious and I fear I've ate every bite. I have my own issues."

Tea and tea...

First daylight....it came without mercy...after a long night of music and dance.....

Mozes....Wakey wakey..rise and shine....time for tea...
Tea...Someone called me...?
Gretta......Yes my dear Tea,its tea time..
Raccoon.....No better way to start your day then with tea...when there's time..
Rattus...It's always tea time..
Tea....You bett ya..How difficult a day may be ..you can fix it with a cup of tea..

Within a couple of minutes our little troupe was enjoying breakfast..tea and toast.
Whilst eating Mozes took his book out of his knapsack...and opened it.
-Why are you opening your book asked Raccoon..there is nothing to read..
-Well,just checking...said Mozes...I find it very strange to have a book without words..
-I believe we have to write ourselves..Tea said..about to pour some tea in Mozes his cup..
Ad Fundum my dear friend ,he directed to Mozes..and then tripped over his own feet..splashing tea over Mozes his book..
- TEA,yelled Mozes and he jumped up... now look what you did...
-O dear..indeed look what you did...said Gretta..look at the book...

On the page where Tea had spilled his tea....letters appeared...words..
Rattus took the book and read aloud..

"It was the best of times it was the worst of times.."

-Raccoon-Whatever does this mean...
-Tea-It means that we solved the mystery of the missing words..
-Rattus-So we did...remarkable....the books are written in invisible ink..
-Gretta-Let's splash some more tea..I want to know the next line...and so she did..
Nothing happened...not a single letter appeared!
-Well ,maybe it wasn't supposed to be my cup of tea...giggled Gretta.
-No no,said Rattus exited...we are forgetting something what Tea said at he time of splashing...Ad Fundum!
-Raccoon-Whatever does this mean....
-Rattus-It means something like 'bottoms up...'
-Gretta...O, I know what you mean.....
Then Gretta splashed another cup of tea over Mozes his book...accidentally spilling some tea over Tea..who was standing next to Mozes...and she called" Mudnuf Da...
-Mozes-....Gretta,you are talking gibberish again..better try this again...nothing happened with the book..
-Raccoon-....But something did happen to Tea....he disappeared...Tea ,Tea,where ever might you be...
-Nothing happened to me ..said the voice of Tea...I am OK..can't you see..
No I am afraid we can't Tea,said Rattus...you are invisible...like the words in the book..
O goodness ,giggled Gretta...this was my fault,so sorry...I will do it again..
No,give your tea to me ,I will do it my self...said Tea...ad he invisibly walked up to Gretta and took her teacup out of her hand.
Now they all saw a floating teacup splashing tea..and they heard the voice of Tea saying.. Ad Fundum...
There Tea was.. laughing and dripping tea from his whiskers...


-

Yes, it was a lovely evening of music and much merriment! A small band of rabbits joined us that evening, after hearing Tea's sweet violin music waft in the chilly night air. But wait! Tea did have something else in his nap sack other than tea; to the surprise of his friends, he pulled out a beautiful mahogany and gold harp and he played until his little fingernails were worn back to the quick. One of the rabbits was an accomplished harpist, so Tea yielded his little chair and harp to the blue coated gentleman to dance with Mozes



who was worn down to a nub. "I say old chap, you may be small in stature, but you can do the Rat Reel like no one else!"


Personalized Glitter Graphics



It was late, but no one cared. Where there is music, there is life. Where there are friends, there is hope and the little band of travelers knew it. They made a gentle fire that danced to the tune of another promising sunrise in the land of Nowhere.

Speechless...

After a lovely lunch...peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...our company moved on..again following the road to Nowhere..

-Why are we all so quiet..asked Tea...we are wandering for about an our now and nobody spoke...
-Got nothing to say...mumbled Mozes
-Say what...said Tea...nothing to say..you are always full of stories...what's wrong my friend..
-O nothing...sighed Mozes..
-And what about you Gretta...why haven't I heard your cheerfull chipper..is this mushroom snack still bothering you.....Then,Tea got this marvelous idea.."Rattus"..he called..because Rattus was walking on his own...ahead of the troupe...admiring the landscape...or something like that..Rattus liked to be alone sometimes.."Rattus,old chap..I have something to say..
There was no answer..."Well,said Tea...another one lost his speech..now they are all speechless..I know just what we need on a moment like this..
Then out of his knapsack Tea emerged a violin....and started to play..
This was a big surprise...Music while you walk...marvelous!
Rattus- Tea dear fellow,I didn't know you played the violin..
Mozes- Tea,you made my day...a tune to sing too ...and do a little dance..
Raccoon-...Hey diddle diddle you realy can play that fiddle..
Gretta- Great..a dance in the meadow..Mozes ..could you teach me the polka...
Tea played and played..his heart was filled with joy...he was so happy he had learned to play the violin...he also could play the harp..but this little old thing didn't fit in his bag...

The rescue

The mean old elf said, "That'l teach ya to eat my house. Let's see ya eat now. That magical potion will keep ya asleep until it pleases me to wake ya; and that'l be never. And if anyone tries to wake ya on their own, you'll be cursed to sleep forever."

Just then, Gretta's friends had come around the corner and heard what the elf had said. They hid themselves in the bushes so as not to be seen by the wicked old elf.

Racoon whispered to his friends: "What are we to do? How can we awaken Gretta? If we try to capture the old elf, he'll never give us the secret potion to awaken her."

Rattus: "Tea, old chap, I think it's up to you."

Tea: "Quite right. Listen here all of you. If we rescue Gretta, I think I might be able to break the spell. In my doctoral teasis there is a chapter on magical teas from faraway lands. There is a special blend of teas that will break sleeping spells. And as I never go on journey without my napsack of special travel teas, Gretta just may be in luck. I just hope I brought the right teas with me."

Racoon: "But how are we gonna get Gretta away from that awful elf?"

Mozes: "Leave that to me. I know what to do."

With that Mozes marched up to the elf and said: "What a lucky bear I be. I be hungrier than ever I 'member. What lucky me to run into a fat, juicy elf."

The elf trembled like hot pudding. "Please Mr. bear. Don't eat me. Looky here, there's something nice for ya to eat," said the elf pointing at the sleeping hedgehog.

Mozes: "She does look delish. But she has lot'sa spines, and I'll have to prepare her to eat, but you I can just eat now." Mozes started moving toward the elf.

"Looky here," said the elf desperately, "I promise to give ya this here magic stone that will give ya one wish."

Mozes: "Right. Gimme here that stone and I'll let you live, and I'll just be off with that there hedgehog for my supper."

The elf handed the magic stone to Mozes, but Mozes grabbed his hand and pulled the elf into his face: "You look here, you nasty little man. If I ever hear that you put any more spells on folks, I'll come back here and eat you, house and all. Are we clear?"

"Ye..ye...yes," said the elf, who promptly fainted for fright.

"Come on out," yelled Mozes to his friends. "He's the one asleep now. Tea, keep your napsack for another emergency. I can wake Gretta, and this nasty elf gave me the means to do it."

Mozes then walked calmly over to Gretta. He held the stone tight in his paw, closed his eyes and said: "I wish that Gretta would wake up with no harm done to her."

At that instant, Gretta opened her eyes, looked at her companions peering down at her and said:

"Is anyone else hungry?"

By Rattus Scribus©