Mouse and Fox: Little Mouse Shan Shan and Mr. Fox
Mr. Fox came to Mouse Village again with a letter and a large sum of money. The villagers, young and old, eagerly surrounded him. He handed the letter and money to Han Han’s mother and said, “Your son Han Han is going abroad to further his career. Here’s a letter from him and some money for your living expenses.”
Little Mouse Shan Shan knew Han Han. He was taken by Mr. Fox to be an actor half a year ago. It was hard to believe that the clumsy Han Han had become a big actor and was now developing his career abroad. Shan Shan also knew Mr. Fox, a renowned talent scout. He would visit the remote Mouse Village every month or so to select actors. Every mouse he selected soon became a big actor, sending money back home and enjoying a good life abroad. The villagers were all grateful and respectful to Mr. Fox, their benefactor.
Han Han’s mother, with tears in her eyes, gratefully took the money and letter, saying, “My son wouldn’t have achieved what he has without your guidance!”
Mr. Fox smiled and said, “I’m happy to see Han Han succeed. Besides delivering his letter, I’m here to select another actor…”
“Choose my child!” “Choose my child!” “My child is smart and clever, and won’t disappoint you!” Before Mr. Fox could finish his sentence, parents eagerly pushed their children towards him, hoping they would be chosen.
Mr. Fox waved his hand and said, “No rush, no rush. Everyone has a chance. Please line up so I can carefully select.”
The villagers quickly lined up, anxiously awaiting their turn. Mr. Fox inspected each one slowly, shaking his head sometimes and nodding other times but not finding the right one. When he got to Shan Shan, Shan Shan remembered that the chosen ones were usually those not well-regarded, like Han Han, Dai Dai, and An An, who were all clumsy. Shan Shan thought, “If I act clumsy, might I have a better chance?” So, he lowered his head and eyes, pretending to be dumb. Mr. Fox scrutinized Shan Shan, then said, “Alright, I choose you!”
“Oh, wonderful!” Shan Shan’s parents exclaimed with excitement. To them, being chosen meant a path to success.
Mr. Fox took the delighted Shan Shan to the city. Surprisingly, he didn’t take Shan Shan to a film crew but instead to a room where they did nothing. Shan Shan couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Fox, aren’t I here to act?”
“No rush, no rush!” Mr. Fox comforted him, “I’ll inform you when the time comes.”
Mr. Fox then handed a stack of letters to Shan Shan, saying, “Copy these letters and sign them with your name. No need to date them.”
Shan Shan noticed all the letters spoke about successful performances and wonderful lives abroad, even mentioning Mr. Fox arranging their overseas careers.
Shan Shan asked, puzzled, “I haven’t acted yet. How can I write this?”
“Haha!” Mr. Fox laughed, “Write them now while you have time. You’ll be too busy later.”
Shan Shan found this reasonable and earnestly copied the letters.
About half a month later, one night, Mr. Fox excitedly said, “I’ve arranged something. Tonight, you have a role. Come with me!”
Excited, Shan Shan followed Mr. Fox to a quiet neighborhood. Mr. Fox pointed to a house and whispered, “Tonight, you’re playing a thief. Dig a hole, crawl into the bedroom, open the drawers, and hand the valuables to me.”
Having no experience, Shan Shan did as Mr. Fox instructed. An hour later, Mr. Fox cheerfully counted the stolen goods and handed a small amount to Shan Shan, saying, “This is for you. I’ll send it to your parents.”
Shan Shan asked, puzzled, “Isn’t this acting? How can we take the money home?”
Mr. Fox hesitated and replied vaguely, “Don’t ask too much. Let’s sleep now.”
Back at the lodging, Shan Shan grew suspicious. Why were there no directors, cameramen, or audiences during the “performance”? Was he actually stealing?
The thought of being a thief frightened Shan Shan. If he was brought here to be a thief, he didn’t want that. Shan Shan wanted to escape back to Mouse Village, but Mr. Fox had guards watching him, making it impossible to flee.
A few nights later, Mr. Fox took Shan Shan to another neighborhood for another theft. Though reluctant, Shan Shan complied. Suddenly, he heard chaotic footsteps. Peeking out, he heard Mr. Fox shouting, “Catch the thief! Catch the thief!”
Someone asked, “Where’s the thief?”
“In this hole, don’t let him escape.”
Following Mr. Fox’s directions, people found Shan Shan hiding and yelled, “Thief, come out!”
Shan Shan, not daring to move, tried to explain, “I’m not a thief. Mr. Fox told me to act.”
“Don’t lie!” Mr. Fox sneered, “Acting in the middle of the night? You’re trying to frame me.”
“Yeah, who acts at midnight?” The crowd didn’t believe Shan Shan and insisted he come out.
Shan Shan didn’t know what to do and stayed hidden. Mr. Fox suggested, “Smoke him out or burn him. He’ll come out.” The crowd agreed and set a fire at the hole. Quickly, Shan Shan started coughing from the smoke. He realized Mr. Fox was indeed a villain.
After a long time with no movement, Mr. Fox reassured the crowd, “Looks like the thief is dead. Good, saves us trouble.” He left confidently. Since Mr. Fox was most active in the “capture,” no one suspected him.
The next day, Mr. Fox, carrying a letter and money from Shan Shan, returned to Mouse Village, fabricating a story about Shan Shan’s successful overseas career. As parents eagerly pushed their children forward, Shan Shan appeared, dirty and disheveled. Sarcastically, he greeted, “Hello, Mr. Fox!”
“Ah—” Mr. Fox gasped, “You…aren’t you dead?”
“Shan Shan? What’s going on?” The crowd was stunned, looking between Mr. Fox and Shan Shan.
“I’m not dead, are you disappointed?” Shan Shan glared at Mr. Fox and then explained his ordeal to the villagers. “Luckily, I suspected something and dug an extra tunnel. When Mr. Fox directed the fire, I escaped through it. I believe previous victims were also killed by him.”
“Is that true?” The furious crowd surrounded Mr. Fox.
“No, no…” Mr. Fox stammered, retreating.
But no one believed him anymore. They seized Mr. Fox and handed him to the police.
The truth was revealed. Mr. Fox was a habitual thief using his talent scout facade to recruit naive mice to steal. When exposed, he killed them and sent letters and money to their families, continuing his deception. If not for Shan Shan’s quick thinking, who knows how many more would have been harmed?
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
