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Flash! A jagged bolt of lightning streaked across the sky in destructive fury. Rain bombarded the foliage above and yet it was quiet, save the storm. Hunting was never any good in this weather. I decided to head home for the night, all of my attempts were pointless anyway. After one more try, I headed through the great willows to begin my trek home.

Only minutes after I began walking, I came across the first obstacle on my journey. The otherwise calm creek that ran through my territory was now flooded. Its newly magnified current was now too strong for me to swim across and there was no way for me to get to the other side. I decided to follow the current to see if I could find another path across the raging river. Not even 100 meters down the river lay a slender birch tree that must have fallen over during the storm. Approaching the broken end of the fallen tree, I saw that its surface was slick with the mist of the white water rapids below. Even though my chances were slim, I made myself believe that I would make it across. Then, with the greatest of care, I stretched myself out on my stomach and then began inching my way across the river. About halfway, when I stopped to take a breather, a huge gust of wind picked me up off the tree and threw me to the mercy of the river.

Panic was the only thing that came to me in that split second that I had to react. It overpowered my own rational thoughts and pressed me to survive through the torture of the raging current. After but a few moments in the icy grasp of the cold water, I managed to drag myself out and onto the opposite side of the river. I lay there, in the wet mud, panting from my strenuous effort. Slowly raising to my feet I, once again, began to head for home.

It only took me a few minutes to get to my house but, to my dismay, the place was flooded. The floor was pooling with rainwater, all my food was spoiled, and worst of all the structure was beginning to collapse! To my utter disappointment, I would have to build another house, find more food, and leave this wreck to the other inhabitants of the forest if it managed to stand that long. I set out for, hopefully, the last time tonight.

Walking aimlessly, consumed by my own thoughts, I almost missed the circling figure above. This new turn of events now tied off my night for a horrible one; I had to struggle not to drown in the river and the dreadful weather forced me to abandon my house. Now a massive owl, about 8 times my size, was pursuing me. It patiently circled above, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. I quickly dove under some shrubs, trying to hide myself from the monster, but it had already seen me. I knew that it was only a matter of time before it would figure out how to get at me so I quickly devised a plan.

Looking up into the sky, I was relieved to see that the owl was not there. I then began to move slowly from my hiding spot, so as not to be heard by the intruder. My goal was to reach an empty log, that I had hollowed out earlier, and to hide there for the night because it was too small for the owl to reach me when I was inside. Without warning, the owl came swooping out of the cover of the trees with its talons extended ready to make a kill.

Without thinking, I let my instincts take control and I leaped out of the way of the creature’s deadly talons, only to have them clip my ear. My misfortune still seemed to be with me, for now I was backed into a corner with no place to run. The owl swung around and dove at me once again to finish of its assault. I closed my eyes and braced for the sudden impact, and yet, it never came.

Slowly opening my eyes, I looked around and saw what appeared to be a wolf. It stood at least 50 times my size and it must have leaped on my attacker for the owl now lay on the ground flapping its injured wing in shock. I took this advantage to dash off to the hollow log. Behind me, I could hear the shrieks of the dying owl and shivered with the thought that, that could have been me.

I slept in the log that night, even though it was damp. I didn’t care, I was just glad that I had survived another day as a mouse.