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On an ordinary day, in an ordinary town, in an ordinary bed... Tom awakes at six on the dot. How? You might ask. Well it was simple. You see, quite true to his roots, Tom was a cheese lover through and through. But in a town full of other cheese-loving rats, it took discipline and sheer power of will to have the day's pick at the cheese market's stock. And for that, it is no burden to open his eyes with the sun.
Today was no different. With an almighty jump, he launches himself from the depths of his covers, scurrying across cold, creaking floorboards to his wardrobe. What should he wear on this fine day? His gaze flicks across bedazzled and fanciful outfits to land on a modest, simple set of threads that was quite in fashion this summer season. Light, yet with just a touch of minimalist chic. He dons it with expert paws and heads straight for the door. The market awaits!
Though it was a beautiful day, the crisp morning air seems rather heavy indeed as he approaches the town square, carrying the discordant murmurs of a crowd to his alert ears.
"...has never happened before..."
"...could not foresee... children will have to go hungry..."
The snatches of conversation that floated past him sank his heart low, but Tom pushes forward to join his fellows around the stall at the entrance, a thronging mill that ebbed and flowed around the stall-owner, Jim, who was droning out the same few lines that he must have been saying for at least an hour.
"I am so very sorry, but there will be no cheese today here, or at any of the stalls. There was a delay with the shipments and the earliest we'll have any is tomorrow morning. But we still have an ample stock of fruits, nuts and other produce..."
The rest of Jim's words fade into a dull background hum.
No cheese? At all? How can this be?
For Tom, the cheese-lover who ate that very food on the daily, at least three times a day, it was akin to the world crashing down around his ears. Surely starvation was the only answer! In his despair, his voice rose to add to the chaos of others just like himself.
Just as it seemed the mess was about to turn into a mob, a piercing voice cuts through it all, sharp and neatly demanding their attention.
"Just what kind of scene do all of you think you're making?"
They quiet, and from the back, the crowd parts like water for a diminutive form. It was Judy, the rat in charge of the library.
"There's no cheese, sure. So what?"
Her words send a ripple through the crowd. Judy loved cheese as much as the next rat, they all knew that.
"I said," her voice rises, "so what?! You!" Judy points at random into the crowd, straight at Tom himself. "Have you ever eaten a strawberry?"
It's all he can do not to squeak in confusion, but under the multitude of stares, the words find their way out of his throat.
"Well... yes, last year. They were pretty good... sweet and tasty."
"There you have it!" Judy says victoriously. "Even if there's no cheese, it's just a day. Look, the day is beautiful, and Jim has all kinds of other wares for us to nibble upon. Would you rather be here acting like children, or out in the parks having a picnic?"
Her words have immediate effect, with a few turning to Jim to enquire about these... not-cheese produce he might have.
Tom, too, couldn't help the pang of embarrassment at his own actions. But that shame didn't last long, for Judy is quickly upon him.
"So, Tom? Shall we?" Her tail was jaunty in a manner that hinted at anticipation... and mischief.
"Shall we... do what?" Tom was quite confused.
"Like I said... it's a great day for a picnic. What do you say you and I go and get a tasting platter of new things to try and head to the park?"
He looks about, "wait, you and me?"
"I don't see anyone else I'm talking to right now," Judy blinks innocently, but is already stepping up to the stall.
"I... I would love to!" Tom follows along, his cheese-less despair already put to the back of his mind. It seemed it was going to be a great day after all.
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