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Aesop's Party |
Mr Aesop waited with the valets for the arrival of his favourite guest. This was his party and as host should have been inside but he cared not. The guests inside could do without him for now.
At last a black car pulled up beside him and out stepped a slender leg that ended in a bright red, high-heeled shoe. A second later and the rest of her was standing up and out of the car. Miss Hare was a real beauty. Her chestnut curls were loose, the way he liked them and her eye shadow made her blue eyes seem all the brighter.
“Mr Aesop!” she said in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting to see you out here. How very rude of you.”
“Rude?” asked Mr Aesop. “Why I thought I was being the perfect gentleman.”
“Well you are wrong,” said Miss Hare, “for a lady must first visit the washroom before going to the party proper. For the final mirror checks you see.”
“But are cars not equipped with mirrors?” asked Mr Aesop.
Miss Hare smiled at Mr Aesop and stepped forward to put her arm through his. “And if it’s any consolation. You look particularly lovely tonight.”
“Very well,” said Miss Hare, “I will let you off this once.”
The two walked arm in arm towards the large manor house. Tonight every window was lit up and the heavy oak front doors were wide open. The party was the biggest in years and it had had people talking before it had even begun.
Mr Aesop led his guest in to the main hall. It was filled with people dressed in their best. The women especially, seemed to be inspecting one another as if to spot any heinous “mistakes” with their outfits.
“I do love these sorts of things,” said Mr Aesop, “for in a place like this not only are stories told but they are made. New friends are found and lessons are to be learned.”
“Lessons? Why, what could you mean by lessons?” asked Miss Hare.
Mr Aesop looked at his guest through the corner of his eye and offered her a snide smile. “You do not know many of the people here today, so what can you tell me of these people, just by looking?”
Miss Hare placed a finger on her chin as she scanned the room. The party was already in full swing. Couples danced in a cleared section of the floor. To the edges were the buffet tables where people ate delicately at the food on offer. “They are most likely wealthy, or at least well-to-do enough that they are aware of how to conduct themselves. Probably lawyers, doctors, perhaps the odd politician.”
Aesop shook his head slowly and Miss Hare’s face fell. Aesop pointed to a blonde haired man. “Over there is Mr Lion, I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
Miss Hare gasped before she answered. “Why Mr Aesop, what on earth is someone like that doing here? He is a criminal, no worse, a king of criminals!”
“Lesson number one Miss Hare. Masks can be deceiving.”
Mr Fox hadn’t stood still for even a moment since arriving at the party. Though this was a night of frivolity, he saw this as a grand opportunity. And then he saw it, a large diamond, hanging from a thick gold chain, with two matching gold bracelets. They were worth a fortune and at that moment were being worn by the lovely Mrs Crow.
Mrs Crow stood surrounded by both men and women, excited to just be near her. She was taller than all of them and wore an elegant black dress that was feathered at the hem.
“Oh Mrs Crow, why is it Mrs?” a man said to her. “Why is it that the prettiest women are married?”
“Hey, I don’t see Mr Crow,” another pointed out, “does this mean the lady is free of him for the evening?” Mrs Crow laughed at them and waved her hand.
Mr Fox saw his opportunity and sneaked in to the small crowd that circled the woman. He turned the conversation to another direction. “Why if you are without a partner,” said he, “then will you be dancing alone? I am told that you are the star of the ballet and I would very much like to see you dance.”
Mrs Crow looked at him with dark eyes. Had he been looking in to them Mr Fox may have reacted however his eyes could not be pulled away from the diamond at her neck.
“I do not dance solo at the ballet anymore, it has been a long time since I was the star,” she said, her modesty far from false.
“But your public misses you,” said Mr Fox, “they cry out to see you dance as you once did. You were the brightest star to ever grace that stage. So will you perform for us again tonight?”
Mrs Crow blushed as others nodded and cheered to see her dance. “Fine,” she said, “but only one dance.” Mrs Crow began to remove her shoes, her bracelet and her necklace, knowing they would encumber her otherwise. Barefooted, Mrs Crow tip toed to the dance floor and began her graceful ballet. Her audience were entranced by it and said not a word until she was done.
On finishing, Mrs Crow returned to the table where she had placed her jewels and panicked as she discovered that they weren’t there. She began a manic search, flipping plates and sending fruit rolling to the floor. But she already knew she would not find them.
Miss Hare took a narrow step to the side to avoid the apple that bounced away from Mrs Crow. Mr Aesop’s head turned as he followed the path of the green fruit. “Lesson number two,” he said. “Never trust a flatterer.”
At one of the tables sat the Mouse cousins. One wore a black suit, the other a white suit. The Mouse in black was playing with a saltshaker whilst his cousin lounged in his chair with his hands behind his head. The Mouse in black sighed heavily.
“What is it dear cousin?” asked the white Mouse.
“It is just that the food here is so delicious and divine,” answered his cousin. “It saddens me to think that I will probably never taste its like again.”
“And why is that?”
The black Mouse laughed at his cousin’s naivety. “Because I can barely afford to buy ham and a loaf of bread. My job pays poorly but alas, it is the only job I can find right now.”
The Mouse in white shook his head tutting. “This will not do,” he said, “why you should come to work with me! Mr Lion pays me very handsomely and I’m sure he could find good work for a fellow like you, with my recommendation of course. Then you could eat like this every day if you wanted.” He then picked up a piece of crostini topped with the richest of pates and placed the whole thing in his mouth.
“I must admit, to eat like a king every day does sound nice,” said his cousin.
“A king?” asked someone from behind them. “You wouldn’t be talking about me now, would you?” A man with blonde hair placed both of his hands on Mr Mouse’s white suit. Mouse visibly stiffened as he tightened his grip.
“G-good evening M-Mr L-Lion,” stuttered the Mouse in white.
“Don’t forget our appointment tonight mouse,” said Mr Lion, his voice a low growl. “I would be ever so disappointed if you were to forget.” He then let go and gave a nod to the other Mouse. “Good evening Mouse and Mouse.”
Once Mr Lion was gone the Mouse in black stood up and said, “you can forget it cousin. I don’t think I want that job of yours.” He walked away, passing by Miss Hare and Mr Aesop with a quick nod.
“Why not?” shouted the Mouse in white after his cousin.
“Lesson number three,” Mr Aesop whispered in to his guest’s ear. “Better to eat ham sandwiches in peace than fancy crostinis in fear.”
Miss Hare rubbed her feet, tired from her evening. Mr Aesop sat beside her, his legs apart and his hands clasped between them. He had a satisfied grin on his face. “Have you enjoyed the evening Miss Hare?”
“I wasn’t aware when you invited me that this would be akin to being at school again but yes, I must admit I have had fun.”
“Everyone, everywhere has a story to tell and lesson to learn, I just adore it,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
People were beginning to head home, the evening coming to an end. The expressions on their faces, the state of their clothes and the company they kept all hinted at the stories that had occurred that night.
“Was there a lesson in there too?” asked Miss Hare, with a raised eyebrow.
Mr Aesop laughed heartily, slapping his thigh. “There might have been yes.”
Suddenly Miss Hare twitched her head to look to her right. The joy quickly vanished form her face and she stood up. “I thank you Mr Aesop for this incredible evening. But sadly it is time for me to go.” Mr Aesop barely got a chance to say goodbye when she was grabbing her shoes and running for the exit.
Almost immediately a large man appeared with a stubbled chin and messy brown hair. “Good evening Dog!” greeted Mr Aesop with a wave.
The large man sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll never catch her now. Might as well grab a seat.” He sat heavily beside Mr Aesop and joined him in watching the crowd go by.
“Incentive spurs effort,” said Mr Aesop under his breath.
“What?” asked Dog.
“Oh nothing, just thinking,” said Mr Aesop.
“You know, you make me laugh Mr Aesop,” said Dog, “why on earth do you put all these people in the same room? I mean I’d never imagined before that I would see Miss Peacock in the same building as Mr Wolf, never mind the same room.”
“And isn’t that the fun of it?”
At last a black car pulled up beside him and out stepped a slender leg that ended in a bright red, high-heeled shoe. A second later and the rest of her was standing up and out of the car. Miss Hare was a real beauty. Her chestnut curls were loose, the way he liked them and her eye shadow made her blue eyes seem all the brighter.
“Mr Aesop!” she said in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting to see you out here. How very rude of you.”
“Rude?” asked Mr Aesop. “Why I thought I was being the perfect gentleman.”
“Well you are wrong,” said Miss Hare, “for a lady must first visit the washroom before going to the party proper. For the final mirror checks you see.”
“But are cars not equipped with mirrors?” asked Mr Aesop.
Miss Hare smiled at Mr Aesop and stepped forward to put her arm through his. “And if it’s any consolation. You look particularly lovely tonight.”
“Very well,” said Miss Hare, “I will let you off this once.”
The two walked arm in arm towards the large manor house. Tonight every window was lit up and the heavy oak front doors were wide open. The party was the biggest in years and it had had people talking before it had even begun.
Mr Aesop led his guest in to the main hall. It was filled with people dressed in their best. The women especially, seemed to be inspecting one another as if to spot any heinous “mistakes” with their outfits.
“I do love these sorts of things,” said Mr Aesop, “for in a place like this not only are stories told but they are made. New friends are found and lessons are to be learned.”
“Lessons? Why, what could you mean by lessons?” asked Miss Hare.
Mr Aesop looked at his guest through the corner of his eye and offered her a snide smile. “You do not know many of the people here today, so what can you tell me of these people, just by looking?”
Miss Hare placed a finger on her chin as she scanned the room. The party was already in full swing. Couples danced in a cleared section of the floor. To the edges were the buffet tables where people ate delicately at the food on offer. “They are most likely wealthy, or at least well-to-do enough that they are aware of how to conduct themselves. Probably lawyers, doctors, perhaps the odd politician.”
Aesop shook his head slowly and Miss Hare’s face fell. Aesop pointed to a blonde haired man. “Over there is Mr Lion, I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
Miss Hare gasped before she answered. “Why Mr Aesop, what on earth is someone like that doing here? He is a criminal, no worse, a king of criminals!”
“Lesson number one Miss Hare. Masks can be deceiving.”
Mr Fox hadn’t stood still for even a moment since arriving at the party. Though this was a night of frivolity, he saw this as a grand opportunity. And then he saw it, a large diamond, hanging from a thick gold chain, with two matching gold bracelets. They were worth a fortune and at that moment were being worn by the lovely Mrs Crow.
Mrs Crow stood surrounded by both men and women, excited to just be near her. She was taller than all of them and wore an elegant black dress that was feathered at the hem.
“Oh Mrs Crow, why is it Mrs?” a man said to her. “Why is it that the prettiest women are married?”
“Hey, I don’t see Mr Crow,” another pointed out, “does this mean the lady is free of him for the evening?” Mrs Crow laughed at them and waved her hand.
Mr Fox saw his opportunity and sneaked in to the small crowd that circled the woman. He turned the conversation to another direction. “Why if you are without a partner,” said he, “then will you be dancing alone? I am told that you are the star of the ballet and I would very much like to see you dance.”
Mrs Crow looked at him with dark eyes. Had he been looking in to them Mr Fox may have reacted however his eyes could not be pulled away from the diamond at her neck.
“I do not dance solo at the ballet anymore, it has been a long time since I was the star,” she said, her modesty far from false.
“But your public misses you,” said Mr Fox, “they cry out to see you dance as you once did. You were the brightest star to ever grace that stage. So will you perform for us again tonight?”
Mrs Crow blushed as others nodded and cheered to see her dance. “Fine,” she said, “but only one dance.” Mrs Crow began to remove her shoes, her bracelet and her necklace, knowing they would encumber her otherwise. Barefooted, Mrs Crow tip toed to the dance floor and began her graceful ballet. Her audience were entranced by it and said not a word until she was done.
On finishing, Mrs Crow returned to the table where she had placed her jewels and panicked as she discovered that they weren’t there. She began a manic search, flipping plates and sending fruit rolling to the floor. But she already knew she would not find them.
Miss Hare took a narrow step to the side to avoid the apple that bounced away from Mrs Crow. Mr Aesop’s head turned as he followed the path of the green fruit. “Lesson number two,” he said. “Never trust a flatterer.”
At one of the tables sat the Mouse cousins. One wore a black suit, the other a white suit. The Mouse in black was playing with a saltshaker whilst his cousin lounged in his chair with his hands behind his head. The Mouse in black sighed heavily.
“What is it dear cousin?” asked the white Mouse.
“It is just that the food here is so delicious and divine,” answered his cousin. “It saddens me to think that I will probably never taste its like again.”
“And why is that?”
The black Mouse laughed at his cousin’s naivety. “Because I can barely afford to buy ham and a loaf of bread. My job pays poorly but alas, it is the only job I can find right now.”
The Mouse in white shook his head tutting. “This will not do,” he said, “why you should come to work with me! Mr Lion pays me very handsomely and I’m sure he could find good work for a fellow like you, with my recommendation of course. Then you could eat like this every day if you wanted.” He then picked up a piece of crostini topped with the richest of pates and placed the whole thing in his mouth.
“I must admit, to eat like a king every day does sound nice,” said his cousin.
“A king?” asked someone from behind them. “You wouldn’t be talking about me now, would you?” A man with blonde hair placed both of his hands on Mr Mouse’s white suit. Mouse visibly stiffened as he tightened his grip.
“G-good evening M-Mr L-Lion,” stuttered the Mouse in white.
“Don’t forget our appointment tonight mouse,” said Mr Lion, his voice a low growl. “I would be ever so disappointed if you were to forget.” He then let go and gave a nod to the other Mouse. “Good evening Mouse and Mouse.”
Once Mr Lion was gone the Mouse in black stood up and said, “you can forget it cousin. I don’t think I want that job of yours.” He walked away, passing by Miss Hare and Mr Aesop with a quick nod.
“Why not?” shouted the Mouse in white after his cousin.
“Lesson number three,” Mr Aesop whispered in to his guest’s ear. “Better to eat ham sandwiches in peace than fancy crostinis in fear.”
Miss Hare rubbed her feet, tired from her evening. Mr Aesop sat beside her, his legs apart and his hands clasped between them. He had a satisfied grin on his face. “Have you enjoyed the evening Miss Hare?”
“I wasn’t aware when you invited me that this would be akin to being at school again but yes, I must admit I have had fun.”
“Everyone, everywhere has a story to tell and lesson to learn, I just adore it,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
People were beginning to head home, the evening coming to an end. The expressions on their faces, the state of their clothes and the company they kept all hinted at the stories that had occurred that night.
“Was there a lesson in there too?” asked Miss Hare, with a raised eyebrow.
Mr Aesop laughed heartily, slapping his thigh. “There might have been yes.”
Suddenly Miss Hare twitched her head to look to her right. The joy quickly vanished form her face and she stood up. “I thank you Mr Aesop for this incredible evening. But sadly it is time for me to go.” Mr Aesop barely got a chance to say goodbye when she was grabbing her shoes and running for the exit.
Almost immediately a large man appeared with a stubbled chin and messy brown hair. “Good evening Dog!” greeted Mr Aesop with a wave.
The large man sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll never catch her now. Might as well grab a seat.” He sat heavily beside Mr Aesop and joined him in watching the crowd go by.
“Incentive spurs effort,” said Mr Aesop under his breath.
“What?” asked Dog.
“Oh nothing, just thinking,” said Mr Aesop.
“You know, you make me laugh Mr Aesop,” said Dog, “why on earth do you put all these people in the same room? I mean I’d never imagined before that I would see Miss Peacock in the same building as Mr Wolf, never mind the same room.”
“And isn’t that the fun of it?”
