The awe and paw waltz

Mathures Paul

LONG ago, in the town of Gemsville, lived a little mouse named Cymbal and a long moustachioed cat, Drumstick.
Through the day the two played hide-and-seek. Cymbal hid and Drumstick sought. Cymbal ran, Drumstick chased. Day in and day out, year in and year out, the story remained the same.Cymbal had a failing, a noteworthy failing. Each time the master of the house played the waltz, Cymbal left his cubbyhole to glide across the floor. A greedy Drumstick awaited these moments to lick his puny friend. But when the music stopped, so did the mouse.
One fine day, the master left for London to play before the Queen, leaving a dark cloud over Drumstick. No music, no Cymbal. No Cymbal, no lunch. The hairy cat paced the halls, time and again, looking for a devious plan. Suddenly, a plan struck Drumstick like a thunderbolt."Why don’t I play the piano, eh? He he he he he. Hubba hubba."
The mischievous smile became a horrid laugh as Drumstick hoofed it to the attic to practise on a broken piano.
He cleaned the dust covered piano and eagerly opened Learn to Waltz in Five Easy Lessons. The first few minutes drove the bats away from the room. Yet, he was not to give up.
"I will do it even if it takes me all night."
Soon his paw was red and his fluffy tail in his mouth. He tried and tried. Painstakingly he moved from one note to another. Drumstick even kicked his saucer of milk. The clock struck midnight but the determined cat was not to be let down.
He improved his skill with every fleeting minute. He pawed the black and white keys time and again until he had grasped the great Johann Strauss with ease.
Drumstick, all jellied with excitement, ran down the staircase to the grand piano. Like a maestro he cracked his paw and eyed Cymbal’s hole. Gritting his teeth, he struck the first note.Soon the music flowed through the hall, filled the palace and Cymbal’s home. Master or no master, Cymbal was enticed. His love for waltz made him take to the floor. His tiny tail floated with the music and his feet spiralled over the gleaming floor.
The servants and maids poured in. The music thrilled them to their bones. A cat which can play and a mouse which can dance!
Drumstick was taken aback and for the first time, he was in the spotlight. His greedy grin became a warm smile.
News spread across the cosy little town, across Vienna and finally reached the King."A cat which can play and a mouse which can dance!"
The couple was invited to perform before the Royal Highness. The red carpet was rolled out. Drumstick and Cymbal dropped into tailcoats and went to the palace.
Drumstick began with the Blue Danube, broke into the Vienna Waltz and closed with the Emperor Waltz. Cymbal performed across the royal floor. At times, Drumstick left the piano to waltz with his wee friend.
Then the impossible happened. For the first time in the history of Vienna, the King put aside a bucket of fried chicken to dance with the Queen.
Cymbal and Drumstick stole the limelight and royal honours were bestowed on them. Their sack of gifts overflowed with a regal-size velvet pillow, a lifetime supply of cheese, a big blue saucer and endless milk cartons.
Once back from their royal rendezvous, the cat was once again up to his old habits. Drumstick played, Cymbal danced. But when greed gripped the cat, twinkle toes took to his hole.And they pawed happily ever after.