Matilda

The mouse, Matilda, was born in the lab of Professor O., the famous mouse behaviorist. She grew up in an exceedingly rich environment, and at an early age began to exhibit signs of extraordinary intelligence.

Learning to swim was an easy task for Matilda; soon she was also high-diving and running relay races. And, naturally, she was always the quickest and most resourceful of all the mice. The others, especially the older mice, often cautioned Matilda on the dangers of being what they scornfully referred to as a “smart mouse”.

But the acquisition of new skills came so easily to Matilda that she could hardly believe she was doing anything extraordinary. It took her less than a month to become an expert skier, using a tiny pair of skis Professor O. made for her himself. Other members of the lab had knitted tiny ski-hats, scarves and mittens.

Matilda, meanwhile, took up sculpting. Her exquisite sculptures were made of cheese. Some were abstract, others portrayed the people in the lab. Her best work, though, was a keenly observed relief of Professor O’s face which immediately upon completion was given pride of place on the portraitee’s desk.

Days turned into months and the inevitable neared; gloom descended over the lab. Matilda attempted to cheer everyone up by doing silly things, but still she often saw lab-members brushing away tears and their smiles at her pranks seemed rather half-hearted.


	MATILDA written & illustrated by Julia Kuhl
		The mouse, Matilda, was born in the lab of Professor O., the famous mouse behaviorist. She grew up in an exceedingly rich environment, and at an early age began to exhibit signs of extraordinary intelligence. Learning to swim was an easy task for Matilda; soon she was also high-diving and running relay races. And, naturally, she was always the quickest and most resourceful of all the mice. The others, especially the older mice, often cautioned Matilda on the dangers of being what they scornfully referred to as a “smart mouse”.

	But the acquisition of new skills came so easily to Matilda that she could hardly believe she was doing anything extraordinary. It took her less than a month to become an expert skier, using a tiny pair of skis Professor O. made for her himself. Other members of the lab had knitted tiny ski-hats, scarves and mittens.
		The news of Professor O’s smart mouse spread across the scientific community. Everyone wanted to see this special rodent. In particular, they wanted to see Matilda’s brain. But Professor O. and his lab-team had grown so fond of Matilda, that they could not bare to part with her. “There’s just one more thing I’d like to teach her,” was the reply Professor O. gave to the impatient editors of Nature and Science when they called to inquire about the status of what promised to be a most brilliant paper. The professor also had disquieting inquiries from people with Swedish accents.
	Matilda, meanwhile, took up sculpting. Her exquisite sculptures were made of cheese. Some were abstract, others portrayed the people in the lab. Her best work, though, was a keenly observed relief of Professor O’s face which immediately upon completion was given pride of place on the portraitee’s desk.

	Days turned into months and the inevitable neared; gloom descended over the lab. Matilda attempted to cheer everyone up by doing silly things, but still she often saw lab-members brushing away tears and their smiles at her pranks seemed rather half-hearted.
	But before she had time to begin to worry in earnest, the mouse was presented with an exciting new toy – a tiny airplane! This machine was so lovely, so perfect that everyone forgot their sorrow and set about teaching Matilda how to fly it. A miniature runway was built in the middle of the lab and Matilda spent all her time studying the plane’s control panel. It turned out to be rather similar to that of her automobile and before long Matilda was ready to fly. For this momentous occasion, they made her a pair of mouse-size goggles and a faux-leather aviator jacket complete with gloves and a hat. Rounding out this dapper ensemble was a tiny pair of faux-leather boots.
	Never had Matilda looked more brilliant. Professor O’s heart was filled with pride as his mouse revved up the plane’s miniature engines and was suddenly airborne. *** Someone had forgotten to close the window. Matilda noticed this as she circled gracefully under the lab’s high ceiling. The thought of being free had not troubled her before; now looking at the bit of sky beyond the glass, Matilda felt just a bit curious. The outside world, of which she knew very little, was suddenly within reach. Matilda remembered the tales the old mice told, and she also remembered their warnings. What had become of all the little mice she grew up with? Matilda had been so busy learning from her human friends, she had no time for her own kind. Gradually, mice had disappeared from her life, but where did they go? Were they out there, beyond the windows, or were the terrible, half-remembered stories true, and her own fate would in the end reflect theirs? Would the people on the ground below her, the ones she so loved and admired, be able to hurt her? It seemed impossible. And yet… Matilda’s little airplane neared the open window. She looked down and saw her dear old professor raise his hand and wave. Matilda’s heart beat very fast and a tiny tear was trapped beneath her goggles. She touched her gloved paw to her cap in a final salute and flew out into the daylight.

Copyright©1998JuliaKuhl