It was extremely cold that night, as Minnie snuggled in closer between the Christmas tree branches packed tightly in the big box.

She was lucky to find such a treasure as a warm place. Down on the docks where she lived, you need to keep warm and out of the snow in the cruel Maine winters.

Seeing as Minnie was unusually small for a mouse, she just about squeezed through the tiny hole in the seam of the box.

There she thanks her lucky stars for being warm and safe, and drifted off into a sound sleep.

Next thing she knew, Minnie was awaken by a BANG as the side of her box hit something hard.

It was unusually warm outside, she thought to herself. She then heard strange voices outside, and pricked up her tiny ears to hear better. She heard a man talking in a strange sort of accent.

She caught the end of his sentence, ". . . we're gotta move these her boxes before lunch break. . .'' "That's strange,'' Minnie thought, "I've never heard anyone talk alike that before.'' She heard another voice call out.

"Mr. Furbert, you're needed at the office. . . .'' Minnie felt her box be dropped down with a great thud.

Minnie was feeling unusually hot and stuffy, and decided a nap might do her some good. She wasn't sure what it was, but something was definitely wrong with this situation.

When Minnie woke up she was again on the move. She finally decided to see what was going on, and poked her nose out of the crack in the box where she came in.

As she peered out of the tiny opening, she caught flashes of bright pastel colours and sparkling white roofs, all decked out in Yule tide greetings and decorations.

The truck then came to a stop, and someone got out of the front.

She saw a young boy and a man walk toward the truck.

She heard the same strange voice as from down on the docks speak again. "Good afternoon Mr. Simmons and Dexter. The shipment of Christmas trees is less this year than last.'' Minnie then heard the other man, she supposed it was Mr. Simmons, give an order to the young boy, supposedly Dexter.

"Go unpack these trees in the display area, please Dexter.'' Minnie then felt herself be picked up again in the box. She then heard a ripping noise, and VOILA!, she saw the light of day again. She then looked up in a very excited face just in time to catch Dexter's shriek of delight.

"Oh wow! It's a little mouse!'' He picked Minnie up and stroke her soft, little head, and then quickly tucked her into his pocket.

She didn't know how long she was in there, but she took a guess at a pretty long time.

She then saw the bright light of day again as she peered out of Dexter's pocket. She was getting to like him. She watched as he climbed onto the big pink and blue bus, and then she eased back into his pocket again.

The bus ride was short enough. Then they got off and walked a ways, all the while Dexter chatted away to Minnie as if she were a human.

The minute Dexter walked in the door, Minnie poked her head out of Dexter's pocket, Dexter's mother saw her and screamed.

"Come on mama, she's only little,'' Dexter pleaded.

Dexter's mother then picked up her jacket and purse and pulled Dexter and Minnie outside with her.

"We won't kill it,'' she said in a panic, "we'll take it to the pet shop.'' In the car on the way to the pet shop, Minnie stared out of the window at the Christmas lights that decorated the streets.

Minnie gave a gloomy sigh, and they were at the shop in no time.

There was much argument and tears as Minnie watched Dexter and his mother walk off, leaving her in a tiny wire cage with a big price tag on it.

For days Minnie sat in her cage at the pet shop and Dexter sulked at home.

They were both miserable and missed each other terribly. This was definitely not the season to be jolly! It was then the day before Christmas, and Dexter's mom was at her wit's end; she just didn't know what to do. She could not stand to see Dexter this way.

She decided to ask a few questions.

"So, Dexter, what do you want Santa to bring you tomorrow?'' his mom asked.

"I don't want anything but Minnie back; just leave me alone!'' Dexter than jumped up and ran out of the room.

Dexter's mom now knew what she had to do to make her little boy happy again.

"This is the best present he'll ever get'' said Dexter's mom to herself. The next morning when Dexter went to open his presents, he got the shock of his life. There sitting under the tree was Minnie in a big, new cage with a bright red ribbon around it.

Dexter dove into the box and hugged Minnie. Dexter had never been happier, and Minnie had never thought she'd ever have it this good.

SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN