Mory the Mouse 

(A children’s story I wrote in 2001

Mory the mouse was a one of a kind, 

though just an inch tall, a hockey net could be mind. 

“A goalie? In hockey?” Asked his non-believers. 

He’s merely a speck on the ice!” Teased his teasers.

But Mory stood sturdy day in and day out, 

and his heart, not his stature, proved what he was about. 

He was born at the Garden in Boston you see, 

down low by the ice where he'd spectate for free. 

And there on the puddles that froze would he play, 

with his hundreds and hundreds of siblings each day. 

At him they would shoot M&Ms from the floor,

they’d shoot from all angles, even from the back door! 

But Mory with steadiness and heart in his play, 

would kick save each morsel they’d dare shoot his way. 

Well one night young Mory in a mischievous bout,

decided he’d try the real Garden ice out. 

Atop the Zamboni between periods on this night, 

Mory hitchhiked a ride out onto the ice. 

On a 3-count he leaped down into the blue, 

where the legends had played, and now Mory would too.

Out came the players so big and in stride, 

and brave little Mory had no place to hide. 

The ref dropped the biscuit and on came the first rush. 

Swish, patter, patter, slap shot! Lookout for the puck! 

Mory, so brave, felt suddenly small 

for the puck they were shooting was no M&M at all! 

From deep in the net Mory watched in delight, 

as the goalie in front of him made kick saves all night. 

But with less than a minute to go in the game,

the goalie was pulled and just Mory remained. 

He slid out to the goal line with a broad, beaming smile, 

now he was in charge for this last little while. 

And with four seconds left, from the length of the ice 

came the puck oh so slowly right at Mory, how nice? 

With his eyes closed and heart racing, Mory stood firm on his ground, 

as the puck bowled him over and knocked him around. 

But when he awoke his vision was fine,

and he saw that the puck stayed outside the goal line.

From his head to his toes, he was bruised on this day, 

but he'd never forget is first NHL save! 

And later that night as he crawled into bed, 

Mory smiled as the game was replayed in his head. 

The mouse was content having lived out his dream,

on the ice at the Garden for his favorite team!