The Second Mouse (295 words)

An enticing aroma reached Frank’s nose, which tickled his whiskers. He looked over at Lloyd, who sniffed the air greedily.

“Smell that?” Lloyd asked his brother.

“Cheese!” replied Frank.

They scurried from the cabinet, the scent leading them to the source on top of the refrigerator. Frank hesitated. Humans had never served them food on a table before.

Lloyd rushed forward.

“Wait!” shouted Frank.

Lloyd, centimeters from the prize, heeded Frank’s tone.

“This is too easy,” Frank explained. Lloyd retreated and they examined the table, a miniature version of the one the humans used, but different....

“Where are the table legs?” Lloyd wondered.

“I'm more concerned with this strange contraption on top.”

“Do you think it’s food?” Lloyd asked. “Smells metallic.”

“No, but that’s real cheese,” Frank stated.

“We can’t eat it without touching it,” Lloyd whined. His stomach grumbled.

“Will you hush and let me think?” Frank snapped. He studied the contraption. “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

“Mom used to say that.”

“Haven’t you ever wondered why the first mouse misses out?”

“That was just Mom’s excuse for being late everywhere.”

Frank glared at Lloyd. “I have an idea...don’t touch anything.” He scurried off, leaving Lloyd alone with his thoughts.

Lloyd scoffed. Why shouldn’t the first mouse get the cheese? Frank worried too much. He double-checked to make sure Frank was gone. Surely, he wouldn’t notice if just one little piece was missing...

SNAP!

Frank’s ears echoed with panic. He abandoned his quest for a toothpick and hurried back to his brother. When he reached the gruesome scene, he understood the full extent of their mother’s warning. The cheese lay inches from Lloyd’s body.

The second mouse ate the cheese, but he still felt empty inside.