Pip was a very small mouse. Smaller than most, even for a mouse! He lived with his family under the floorboards of Old Man Tiber’s bakery, a wonderful place that always smelled of warm bread and sweet berries. But Pip wasn’t happy. He wanted to *do* something important, something more than just nibble crumbs.
All the other mice had jobs. Mama Mouse gathered soft fluff for nests. Papa Mouse checked for traps. Even Pip’s older brother, Squeak, helped carry seeds back to the family. But Pip felt too small to be useful. ‘What can *I* do?’ he’d squeak sadly.
One day, Old Man Tiber was preparing for the annual Harvest Festival. He needed to deliver a special berry pie to Mrs. Gable, who lived on the hill, but a terrible storm rolled in! The wind howled, and the rain poured down. Old Man Tiber sighed. ‘Oh dear, how will the pie get there now?’
The mice overheard. Squeak puffed out his chest. ‘I can go!’ But the wind was too strong, even for him. Mama and Papa Mouse tried to think of a plan, but the storm was too fierce. Pip, feeling a little braver, squeaked, ‘Maybe… maybe *I* could go!’
The other mice laughed. ‘You, Pip? You’re too small! The wind will blow you away!’ But Pip stood firm. ‘I may be small, but I’m quick! And I know the secret tunnels under the garden.’
Papa Mouse, seeing Pip’s determination, agreed. ‘Alright, Pip. But be careful! Take this tiny berry to Mrs. Gable as proof you delivered the pie.’ He carefully secured a miniature berry to Pip’s back.
Pip bravely ventured out into the storm. The wind buffeted him, and the rain felt like tiny waterfalls. He scurried through the tunnels, dodging puddles and bravely pushing onward. It was scary, but he remembered Old Man Tiber’s kind face and Mrs. Gable’s love for his pies.
Finally, soaked and shivering, Pip reached Mrs. Gable’s kitchen window. He climbed up the ivy and tapped gently on the glass. Mrs. Gable, surprised to see a tiny mouse, opened the window. Pip presented the miniature berry with a proud squeak.
Mrs. Gable understood immediately! She thanked Pip with a warm smile and a tiny crumb of cheese. Pip raced back to the bakery, exhausted but overjoyed. He had done it!
When Pip returned, the other mice cheered. ‘You were so brave, Pip!’ said Squeak. ‘You saved the Harvest Festival!’ Mama and Papa Mouse hugged him tightly. Old Man Tiber, hearing the story, left out a special pile of crumbs just for Pip.
From that day on, Pip wasn’t just the littlest mouse. He was Pip, the brave mouse who proved that even the smallest creature can achieve big things with courage, kindness, and a little bit of self-belief. And as he drifted off to sleep that night, Pip knew that even the biggest dreams were possible, no matter how small you are.