The Tale of Tight-Lipped ThomasA Poem by Tim Allison A heart warming tale of Thomas, a cat who is as quiet as a mouse. Often mocked by the neighborhood gang of animals, he soon discovers the basis for all his fears. He sets out on a courageous journey to discover himself and find his voice.
In Too-Loud Town, on Lively Lane, inside a homely house, There lived a cat named Thomas who was quiet as a mouse. The dogs—they all made fun of him. The cats—they snickered too, But Thomas, tight-lipped Thomas, was silent each day through. The squirrels asked the chipmunks; the chipmunks asked the birds; And far as they could all recall, he'd spoken not a word. “I don't know what to make of it... don't like it just one bit!” The blue jay told the robin, while pitching quite the fit. “Dogs all bark and birds all sing!” he shouted from his limb. “Is he dumb? Cat got his tongue? What is wrong with him?” Poor Thomas listened sadly. Their laughter stung his ears. He flipped his tail and walked away to better hide his tears. It seemed so strange that silence could cause this great unrest, And make out poor, old Thomas to seem like such a pest. “They just won't understand,” he thought. “I don't know what to do.” He licked his paws, wiped his eyes, and then his whiskers too. His mother calmed his worries, though. She gently eased his cares. She stroked his fur, kissed his head and whispered, “Oh, there, there.” “You'll make it through,” she said. “Just wait and you will see That all this time within you, there was a voice indeed.” “My son, when you were still quite young, just a few days old, I found you scared and hungry and tremblinging from the cold.” “I knew I couldn’t leave you. You’d quickly won my heart. I took you as my own dear son and loved you from the start.” “There's something I must tell you, though. I hope you understand. Things have turned out differently. This wasn't what I'd planned.” “Dear Thomas, you're so special. I love you through and through. And even though we're different, I love no one like you.”
“I often searched for courage, but never could quite say That you’re not a mouse like me, and I love you anyway.” Thomas nearly laughed. He thought, “I'm not a mouse indeed!” But in his mother's tender gaze he could no humor read. “I know that you were frightened when you meowed and didn't squeak, But Thomas, you're a cat, and you're rightly made to speak.” His mother hugged him tightly; said, “Go on and try it now.” Then Thomas, dear sweet Thomas, said a quiet little, “Meow.” His heart beat like a drum. In his belly goldfish swam. Then Thomas bolted out the door. Into the yard he ran. “Meow!” he screamed. “Meow!” he shouted, bounding through the grass. “Listen! Hear me! I can speak! I've found my voice at last!” The squirrels told the chipmunks. The chipmunks told the birds. The dogs and cats all gathered 'round, amazed at Thomas' words. “Way to go! All right!” they said as they danced and sang and played. “Attention, please!” the robin said. “I've something I must say.” He fluttered from his branch and landed on the birdbath brim. “I think we should apologize for making fun of him.” “There's no excuse for being mean. I'm really quite ashamed. We never should resort to calling others names.” “So what if they are different? We're all unique. It’s true! How boring it would be if I were just like you!” They cheered the robin's courage, and then each took their turn To apologize to Thomas and tell him what they'd learned. “We're sorry, Thomas. We were wrong. Will you be our friend? We'll never hurt your feelings or call you names again.” So Thomas forgave them all, you see, and they played until sundown, Behind a homely house, on Lively Lane, right there in Too-Loud Town.
© 2009 Tim AllisonReviews
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6 Reviews  Last Updated on November 12, 2009 Author
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