FAIRY TALE

Once upon a time, there lived a shy little mouse named Marvin. Marvin was all alone in the world, but wasn't all that bothered by it. Until one day, Marvin saw Jen the Hummingbird. Marvin just stared at Jen in awe as she shimmered and shined in the sun. Marvin the Mouse was in love. Through careful coaxing he convinced Jen the Hummingbird to come to his home and stay for a time with him. Eventually, Jen saw that Marvin really did love her, and she consented to marry him. And for a time they both were happy.

Then came the wolves. The first Wolf was named Troy. Troy came around Jen while Marvin was away. Troy was a handsome wolf and knew many sweet and clever things to say to a pretty girl such as Jen. Jen allowed her attentions to be turned away from Marvin, until she thought mostly of Troy. Marvin was shocked and hurt to learn of this development, but was determined to win back his love. Marvin stood his ground and challenged the wolf. This looked like a foolish act in that Wolves eat Mice, but Jen the Hummingbird saw in this that Marvin the Mouse truly did love her. Jen decided to join Marvin and resist the wolf. Jen politely asked the wolf to go away, and amazingly enough Troy the Wolf did go away.

Marvin and Jen forgave each other for allowing it to happen, and they made new promises to work on their marriage. And for a time they both were happy.

Then came another wolf. This wolf was named Paul. Paul came around Jen while Marvin was away. Paul was a handsome wolf and knew many sweet and clever things to say to a pretty girl such as Jen. Jen allowed her attentions to be turned away from Marvin, until she thought mostly of Paul. Marvin was again shocked and hurt to learn of this development, but again was determined to win back his love. Marvin stood his ground and challenged the wolf. This was indeed a foolish act, but he would rather have been eaten by the wolf than to lose the love of his life. Jen was not impressed this time, and in fact grew more angry towards Marvin. Marvin paniced and things got worse. Then he calmed down and decided that he still must stand against the wolves and fight for his love. He could not believe that she had changed so much to become such a wrathful person. Jen continued to rain down punishments on little Marvin's heart. She threw hateful and hurtful words at him whenever they spoke, even when he was calm and trying to be reasonable.

Eventually Marvin went away and let Jen cry alone. Marvin went into solitude and studied himself to find his medicine. He came back with strong magic and became a shining example of success and good fortune. Marvin had been tranformed from a mild little mouse to a great and majestic Eagle. Jen begged Marvin's forgiveness for her poor treatment of him. Marvin offfered her his wing and said, "Of course, I forgive you. I love you, Jen the Hummingbird, and I always have loved you. I will continue to love you. If you can find it in your heart to love me again, I will accept you back. But if you cross me again, your wings will turn to lead and I will drop you from the highest cloud."

Jen cried out to him, "Yes, please, I do love you. You must rescue me now, the wolves will not leave me alone. I need your help."

Marvin took her in his talons, great and terrible talons made for ripping through all manner of obstacles, and carried her gently aloft. They flew on high into the sky and far into the rising sun to be found in a new day beyond tomorrow.

- S. Marvin Tuomala, 2004