The Mouse Maid

Once upon a time, a tiny mouse fell from a bird's beak and landed in the hands of a kind holy man who was walking by. The holy man felt sorry for the little mouse. Using his magic staff, he turned the mouse into a beautiful girl.

The holy man took care of the girl like his own daughter. He gave her love, guidance, and education. She grew up to be a smart and beautiful young woman. One day, the holy man decided it was time to find her a husband.

He said to the girl, "I have been thinking about your future. I think the sun would be a perfect husband for you. The sun is powerful and gives light and warmth to everyone."

The girl listened and said, "Father, the sun is too hot and strong. It can burn things. I don’t want to marry the sun."

The holy man said, "Alright, what about the cloud? It covers the sun and brings rain to help plants grow."

The girl thought for a moment and replied, "The cloud is helpful, but it moves with the wind and disappears when the sun is too bright. I don’t want to marry the cloud."

The holy man suggested, "How about the wind? It is powerful and can go anywhere."

The girl shook her head and said, "The wind is strong, but it is also unpredictable and can cause damage. I don’t want to marry the wind."

Finally, the holy man thought of the mountain. He said, "The mountain is strong, stable, and can protect you from the wind, cloud, and sun."

The girl smiled and said, "Yes, the mountain is strong and safe, but there is someone who can make holes in it, someone even stronger than the mountain. I want to marry a mouse."

The holy man was surprised but understood her choice. He used his magic again and turned the girl back into a mouse. They lived happily together, reminding everyone that sometimes, what we truly want is closer to who we are inside.