The Shadow Beast

The Story

A mouse once walked through a dark, deep wood,
She searched for food, as all mice should.
The trees stood tall, the air was still,
She scurried along with a tiny squeak trill.

A sly red fox leapt out with a grin,
“Hello little mouse, won’t you step in?
Come to my den, I’ve stew on the pot,
I’d love a guest to share what I’ve got.”

“Thank you, Fox, but I must say no,
I’m on my way to the Shadow Beast’s show.
His favorite dish is roasted fox tail,
And he’d chase you down without fail.”

“Shadow Beast?” the Fox looked pale,
“What’s that creature? Please tell the tale!”
The mouse replied with a flick of her ear,
“He’s tall and fierce, and lives quite near.

He’s got huge black wings, wide as a door,
Eyes that glitter, claws that roar.
He stomps so loud, the ground will shake,
He loves fox stew, that’s what he’ll make.”

“Oh dear!” gasped Fox, “I’d better run!”
And off he dashed, no time for fun.
The mouse giggled softly, “That was neat—
No Shadow Beast, but a clever deceit.”

Through the wood the mouse crept light,
The sun grew dim, the day turned night.
An owl swooped down with eyes so round,
“Who’s that mouse on my hunting ground?

Come little mouse, fly up to my nest,
A warm, soft dinner—you’d be my guest.”

“Thank you, Owl, but I must decline,
The Shadow Beast soon comes to dine.
He loves his meat in feathery pies,
Especially baked with two owl eyes.”

“Owl eyes!” screeched the bird in fright,
And flapped away into the night.
The mouse smiled sly, “That trick worked too,
No Shadow Beast—but they never knew.”

Deeper still the mouse went slow,
When a snake hissed from down below.
“Slither this way, come into my lair,
I’ve cushions of leaves and treats to share.”

“Thank you, Snake, but I can’t today,
The Shadow Beast is on his way.
He coils and crunches, he’s slimy green,
And snake kebabs are his favorite cuisine.”

“Snake kebabs!” the serpent wailed,
And into the reeds it quickly sailed.
The mouse laughed soft, “That worked again,
The Shadow Beast is just pretend.”

At last she reached a moonlit clearing,
And suddenly—something came appearing!
Eyes like lanterns, claws that gleamed,
Wings so wide, just like she’d dreamed.

“Oh help! Oh no! Could it be true?
The Shadow Beast is real—it grew!”
Its voice was deep, its tail was long,
It spoke in rumbling, thundering song:

“Little mouse, what do I see?
A tiny snack—delight for me!”

The mouse felt fear, her heart beat fast,
But she had to think, she had to act.

She puffed her chest and squeaked out loud,
“Do you not know? I’m fierce and proud!
All through the wood, they fear my might,
Fox and Owl and Snake took flight!

They ran away, they fled the ground,
Because I’m the scariest beast around!”

The Shadow Beast blinked, then stepped aside,
He saw the truth—those animals had cried.
“Could it be true?” he scratched his head,
“They all ran off because of you,” he said.

The mouse marched on with steps so neat,
“Of course they did, now let’s repeat.
If you don’t believe, just walk behind,
And see the fear in what you find.”

Through the forest the two walked slow,
Fox peeked out—then screamed, “Oh no!
The Shadow Beast has found the mouse!
Run, quick, and hide inside your house!”

Owl saw next from up the sky,
He flapped away with a terrified cry.
Snake hissed once then slithered fast,
Not daring a glance as he rushed past.

The Shadow Beast gawked, “It must be true,
They fear you more than what I do!”
The mouse grinned wide, “You see, my friend,
I’m feared from start until the end.”

The Beast sat down, quite confused,
For never had he been refused.
“Then farewell, mouse, I’ll let you go,
For your fierce fame is strong, I know.”

The mouse walked back, her tummy light,
She found some nuts and nibbled all night.
She whispered soft with a little cheer,
“No beast is scarier than brains and fear.”

✨ Moral:
Bravery isn’t about being tall,
It’s thinking smart, that beats it all.
Even the smallest, quick, and shy,
Can trick the mighty and pass them by.