This is not an easy tale to tell but for those of you who want to know the outcome of this epic battle, read on.

Round 2

I baited the traps with choice peanut butter, the crunchy nut filled variety that Heather recommended and placed it in its migratory path. The mouse enjoyed the peanut butter immensely and ate several helpings. Then Dat informed me he had witnessed the mouse with his head in the mouse trap delicately lapping up the last lingering bits of peanut butter. Naturally I assumed the trap was faulty but not being a complete fool (although I was beginning to doubt myself), I tested it with a light tap of a spoon handle and it snapped shut vigorously. After some discussion with the staff, Bill suggested that we should try to trap the mouse and then donate it to the Science Dept as this mouse was clearly a specimen worthy of study for the gene which enabled its superior survival skills. I decided to stop feeding the mouse as he was clearly winning. Savi decided to up the ante and moth balls were strewn about. Staff fled but the mouse perservered. I conceded Round 2 to the mouse and went on holiday for a week.

Round 3

Upon my return after the long Victoria day weekend I went into the staff room and was appalled by the stench which assaulted my nostrils. I asked around and was informed that the mouse lay dead between the cushions of a chair. How had he come to this sad end? I can only surmise that he was taking a nap and someone sat on the chair and smothered him. I cannot claim victory. In fact the victory belongs to the mouse, even in death. I had to remove him and ask the cleaning staff to shampoo the chair. It still smelled. I brought in my own cleaner and a brush and scrubbed and scrubbed but after 4 days the chair still smells and I have removed it. The smell haunts Savi and I even when we leave work! Clearly the mouse is having his revenge. I am contemplating making offerings to the mouse spirit to free us from this curse.

Librarian battles mouse – Mouse wins round one!

I am an animal lover and fond of mice who know their places.  However, I am also Head of the Library and it is my sworn duty to uphold the honour of the library against all comers, human or pawed.   

I ignored the little blighters in the winter months because I felt sorry for them but spring is here and it is time for them to go outside and enjoy nature, as should we all.  Hence I have told them they are no longer welcome but they have chosen to ignore me.  I say they but in truth I have only seen one very cute brown mouse but Savi tells me that one of them is enjoying eating the white blossomed plant that resides on her window.   The chewing can be heard by staff sitting desks away from Savi and I myself have heard the relentless chewing.??????  How the plant has survived this onslaught is beyond me.  So you can see why I have pitted myself against the mouse.?????? 

Now comes the humiliating part.  I purchased the superior trap (I tried the humane trap but the mouse refused to be civil) and baited it with peanut butter thinking it would be difficult for a mouse to eat sticky peanut butter and escape unscathed.  Sadly I misjudged the mouse.??????  Thrice now he has eaten the peanut butter and the trap has not been tripped.  I thought there must be something wrong with the trap and tapped it gently with a spoon handle and it clamped violently shut on the handle.  My worthy combatant is clearly a mouse of great skill and acumen.   ??????

It has now gotten to the point where a staff member was enjoying her lunch and the mouse came to within a short distance of her and looked at her. We think the mouse was expecting to be fed, perhaps as a reward for having won the battle.   

I cannot give up…. it is as I have said a point of honour.  I am reminded of the keeper in a poem I read many years ago – The grey squirrel

The bell has sounded for round two.