What would you do if you found a family of mice roaming around your garden? I’m sure a lot of people would reach out for a bit of cheese and a mousetrap or let your cats wander around for a bit. However, if you’re Simon Dell, you turn the situation into the perfect photo opportunity. Wildlife photographer Simon Dell from Sheffield, United Kingdom, seized the opportunity to capture some beautiful photographs of these tiny little creatures. But he knew he had to entice the little mice to come towards him, so he built them a little set piece to capture their attention. And it worked! It wasn’t long before the family of mice moved in, and they love their new home.Simon built the little mice a home made up of old fruit, vegetables, and props from around his house and the results are all too adorable. To get the eye-catching imagery that he wanted, Simon created little houses for the two mice he named George and Mildred and for their little baby, Mini. He managed to entice them with nuts and berries that he kindly left for the tiny little mice. He would pick the nuts and berries on his walk around a nature reserve near his home in Sheffield. Since then, Simon has grown very fond of the little mouse family and regularly updates their tiny village. This adorable little mouse family is very lucky to have such a kind landlord in Simon.
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George the mouse in a log pile house . by Writer Susan Emsell
Mowing the lawn can be thirsty work. The man put away his mower and was sitting down on the patio, having a cool drink and
taking photos of the birds on the bird tables, one of his favourite pastimes.
Suddenly, movement in the fresh cut grass caught his eye! The man turned his camera and looked down to see what it was.
Zooming in on the grass he spied a tiny mouse watching him intently.
"Well well well" said the man "and who might you be?"
“Hello,” said a tiny voice “My Name is George.” and pulling himself up to his full height of 3 inches he asked "what is that you're pointing at me?"
Well to say you could have knocked the man down with a feather would be an understatement but bending down beside the mouse he said "it's called a camera...I'm a photographer".
George looked puzzled
"A tographer?"
"Well nearly" said the man with a smile
"Well Mr Tographer" said George "I hope you don't mind but I've moved into your garden. It's just what I've been looking for"
From that very moment Mr Tographer as he became known, knew that this little mouse was something very special
Part II .
George the mouse in a log pile house .
by Writer Susan Emsell
https://www.facebook.com/susan.emsell
After his first meeting with George the man couldn't get the little mouse out of his thoughts. Suddenly he had an idea.The very next day he got out his tools
and set about building the little mouse a home. Made from logs and twigs all covered with moss, and even his very own front door fashioned from an old coconut shell. "There" said the man "all done".
That evening the little house was placed under the bushes in the quiet corner of the garden.
"What's that?" Came the now familiar little voice.
"A present for you" said the man
"For me?" asked George.
"Yes George. It's a special little house for you. It will keep you safe and warm. Do you like it?"
George just stood and stared. The man started to wonder if he'd done the right thing.
Suddenly he saw a tiny tear glisten in George's eye and in a quiet little voice he said
"Oh Mr Tographer its wonderful. I've never had a present before. I love it. Thank you so much Mr Tographer". Then he did an excited little dance, clapped his tiny paws with glee and scampered inside.
The man smiled to himself. Little did either of them realise that this house was just the beginning of the adventure.
Part III
By writer Susan Emsell
https://www.facebook.com/susanemsellminiaturedolls/
George opened his eyes and stretched. He loved his little house. So cosy and warm and a place to hide from Arabella the cat who lived next door. Every day Mr Tographer had been leaving tasty morsels of food just outside his door. George had grown very fond of Mr Tographer and would happily pose for photographs. Mr Tographer told George that a lot of people loved looking at what he was getting up to and that he was becoming a bit of a celebrity mouse which George didn't really understand but it sounded very important. This particular day George went out through the front door and to his surprise found a tiny table and chair. On the table were all the foods he loved.
"Hi George" said the man "what do you think of your new dining table?"
"Well" replied George "I think I'm the luckiest mouse in the whole world....errr Mr Tographer have you any more of those delicious berries...they make my tummy smile"
Part IIII .
George the mouse in a log pile house .
by Writer Susan Emsell https://www.facebook.com/susan.emsell
As the days went by the little mouse and Mr Tographer got to know each other more and more. Sometimes they would chat or share a snack and sometimes they would just sit together looking up at the stars.
"When I was a baby mouse" said George one evening while they were doing just that "my mother told me that every twinkle in the sky was a mouse who had lived a happy life. Do you know what Mr Tographer? If that's true I think when it's my turn to twinkle I will light up the whole sky with my happiness"
The man felt a lump forming in his throat. He looked down at his little companion and smiled. "I hope so George" he said "I hope so"
Part V
One day when Mr Tographer came out to give the little mouse his breakfast he noticed that the food from the night before was still there. This wasn't at all like George and the man was concerned. He went to his shed to fetch a torch. Bending down he called George's name and carefully shone the torch into the little house. There was no sign of his little friend. Sadly the man stood up. Where could he be. A movement near the fence caught his eye...Arabella...the cat from next door was wandering along the edge of the garden looking very smug. Suddenly the man was very worried. "Oh George" he said under his breath. Then......
"Mr Tographer Mr Tographer" The man looked down at his feet. "Oh George thank goodness. I was so worried...I thought......" he stopped mid sentence. Not one but two pairs of bright little eyes were staring up at him. "Mr Tographer" said George "Say hello to Mildred. I've been to collect her from Mr Bunting's garden. She loves the house you built for me and if you dont mind she would like to stay and be my wife.”
The man looked down at the tiny couple and laughed. "Mildred" he said "welcome to the family"
As winter gave way to the beautiful colours of spring and the days started to grow longer Mr Tographer and his two furry little companions spent many happy times together.
Each day Mr Tographer would come out to be greeted by the mice sitting at the door waiting for a breakfast nut or two and in the evenings they would sit on the lawn and talk about this and that.
One evening George was leaning casually against a tall daffodil stem. "Mr Tographer" he said
"Yes George?"
"Do you think we will be friends forever?"
The man smiled
"George" he said "I'm sure we will"
By writer Susan Emsell
The days passed by and one day Mr Tographer realised he'd not seen Mildred for some days now. At first he'd assumed she was busy organising her new home but George had also seemed a little preoccupied.
"George" he said one evening as they were sitting on the grass watching the sun go down "What has Mildred been up to lately. I've not seen her for days and if I may say so you've not been yourself either".
"Oh I know" said George. "Don't worry Mr Tographer. We're ok"
But Mr Tographer was worried. It wasn't like these two little furry creatures to be so subdued.
Next morning as the man went into the garden an excited little squeaking noise caught his attention. Looking down he saw George beaming from ear to ear and running backwards and forwards.
"Mr Tographer, Mr Tographer come quickly " shouted George.
The man ran towards the little log pile house.
"Whatever is the matter George? You look like you've won the lottery"
George gave him a quizzical stare.
" Never mind" said the man "Just tell me what's happened".
Kneeling down his eyes followed George's little paw.
"Look" said George.
The man leaned forward and carefully peered into the mouse doorway.
"Oh my" he said
"Mr Tographer " said George proudly "I'd like you to meet my daughter"
The man gazed at the tiny little mouse snuggled up to Mildred.
"Oh George" he said "she's beautiful"
"We will call her Mini" said George.
"Welcome little Mini" said Mr Tographer "welcome to the family "
By writer Susan Emsell .
The seasons have come and gone. Mini has grown into a beautiful mouse just like her mum and has babies of her own.
News spread through the mouse world of Mr Tographer and soon the log pile house became a little mouse village. Nowadays many of the little furry creatures can be seen darting to and fro and The Man still goes out morning and evening with the tasty morsels of food like he always has. George became quite a celebrity but it hasn't changed him. He's old now but he loves his life with Mr Tographer, his family and all his friends and every time a new mouse comes to the village George can be heard saying " Welcome to the bestest place in the whole world"
Who knows what the future has in store. More houses in the village perhaps. I'm sure there will be plenty more adventures. It truly is a magical little place full of love and laughter and to think it all began that sunny day with a chance meeting between a human and a special little creature..... George.....the mouse in a log pile house.
I hope you've enjoyed my small contributions to Simon's wonderful page. Thank you for all your kind comments. Its been a real pleasure.
Very best wishes to you all
Susan Emsell
