With her back turned, the princess doesn’t see the three mice cleaning up the jar. “You and your silly games could have gotten us discovered, Joey,” one of the mice says.
“You were playin’ too,” retorts Joey, poking his companion Ralph with the end of the broom handle.
“Quiet, both of you!” Mr. Murphy, the largest and obvious leader of the group, commands. “If I have to hear the mayor bark at me for your clumsiness, you’ll both be scrubbing floors for a week. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Ralph replies, sheepishly.
“Back to work. The princess wants an apple. Did you hear that? With all your playing around, I almost didn’t. Now, I’m going to my office to see if I can find out what an apple is. Or do I need to stay here and watch you two?”
“No, sir, we’ll be fine,” the pair chime in unison. Muttering to himself, the boss retreats to his office to research apples.
Joey and Ralph finish with the jar, and then go about their other business. The two mice work in supply distribution and they have been assigned to the princess’ house for now. The last thing either wants is to mess up this chance. Some animals try their whole lives to get near the princess and never do. Neither can afford to lose
this job. Ralph fears someday Joey’s pranks will ruin them both. He doesn’t always see that his little brother means well. Pushing Joey ahead, he sighs, “Come on. I think that’s our delivery coming up the road.”
The two mice arrive outside just as a raccoon rolls a wheelbarrow up. Billy runs the morning delivery route from the castle. “Good morning, fellas,” he calls out.
Today is a crisp autumn day. Though early, the sun is quite bright. The day should warm up quickly. A breeze gently rustles the few leaves that have fallen as everywhere animals are preparing for the day’s chores. Among other jobs, the house needs cleaning, laundry must be done and water carried from the river. As Joey and Ralph look over the invoice and shipment, Billy asks how the morning has been.
“Pretty quiet so far,” Ralph answers, “How are you today, Bill?”
Billy has been a delivery man most of his life. He enjoys the open air and gets plenty of exercise. His family will never go hungry and they have a little extra every year for a vacation. Quite content with his lot in life, Billy means it when he says, “I can’t complain.”
Billy unties the frayed rope securing the load. Tossing it aside, he rolls up his sleeves. From the wheelbarrow they unload everything the castle has shipped for today. Not only bacon, eggs and fruits, but also a bag of ashes for housekeeping and sealing wax have arrived with this shipment. Ralph signs the paperwork as Joey piles the items in front of the door. Absently, Joey asks, “Hey, Bill, do you know what an apple is?”
“Not really, but I know they’re poisonous. I heard you die if you eat one. They’re forbidden in the castle. Why?” He and Joey pull the last of the bacon from the cart.
“It’s for the princess, so Hubert needs to find one. Just thought I’d ask.”
Mr. Murphy is only Hubert when he isn’t around. He hates that name and everybody knows it. They say his bite is worse than his bark. If he promises a week scrubbing floors, that probably means two, at least. He runs his department strictly. And it doesn’t much matter to Hubert whether it’s healthy respect or actually fear that motivates his people. And, that policy seems to get the job done.
The conversation ends as they load up yesterday’s garbage to take back to the castle. Billy can barely stand the smell, but the disposal station is on this route. Frustrated, Billy looks around to see he can’t find the rope. Great, he moans to himself, and this is the day I forgot my gloves. Well, at least everything is pretty well tucked in. With a hopeful heart, he sets off, one paw on top to steady the load. He throws a half wave goodbye and heads out.