Mandy the Mouse and the Sprinkly Frosting: A Story About Following Your Dreams
In a bustling bakery filled with the aroma of warm bread and sugary pastries lived Mandy, the pastry mouse. Unlike her fellow mice, who scurried after crumbs of plain bread and discarded cheese rinds, Mandy dreamt of the vibrant world of frosting and cakes. She longed to decorate the pastries and eat the most delicious and colorful cakes. Yes, that was Mandy’s dream.
One crisp morning, Mandy overheard a conversation between a group of sleek, black rats. Their fur glistened in the oven’s warm glow.
‘‘Did you hear about the new shipment of ingredients?’’ squeaked a wiry rat named Reginald, his whiskers twitching with excitement.
‘‘The one with the strange flavors?’’ scoffed a hefty rat named Ramona. ‘‘Who needs such fancy things? Bread and cheese are all any decent animal here needs.’’
Reginald chuckled. ‘‘I hear they have these things called ‘sprinkles’ – tiny, colorful bits that make food look… well, ridiculous.’’
Ramona snorted. ‘‘Real rats appreciate the natural flavors of bread and cheese. Anything else is just… childish.’’
Mandy’s heart sank faster than a stale cookie. She loved imagining herself decorating cakes with swirls of pink frosting and sprinkles of every color. She didn’t want to eat just bread and cheese for the rest of her life. But Ramona’s words stung – were her dreams truly childish? Doubt gnawed at Mandy for days. She stuck to the dull corners, nibbling on plain bread crusts, feeling invisible amongst the flour sacks.
Ramona’s voice echoed in her head. ‘‘Childish.’’
One day, Mandy stumbled upon a forgotten corner of the bakery, a cluttered haven for discarded decorations. There, nestled amidst sugar crystals and crumpled icing bags, she found a group of young pigeons huddled around a vibrantly feathered pigeon named Stella. Stella wasn’t like the other pigeons, content with the small city ventures; she dreamt of flying far away to the south to feel the warmer climate and see the sunset
over the ocean. Other pigeons scoffed at her dreams of traveling far away, but Stella yearned for an adventure, a testament to her unique spirit. ‘‘Pigeons are supposed to be in the city,’’ one cooed dismissively. ‘‘Those fancy destinations are pointless and make you a target for the predators.’’
But Stella fluffed her chest, her mismatched feathers catching the light. ‘‘When I return, I will be the most famous pigeon in the city,’’ she declared with quiet confidence. ‘‘My dreams are a part of me, and I am proud of them.’’
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In the story, Mandy loved decorating pastries with frosting and sprinkles, but some rats thought her dreams were silly. What advice would you
give Mandy about following her dreams and believing in herself, even if others discourage her? (This question helps readers reflect on their own
experiences of discouragement and how to overcome it. By thinking about how to advise Mandy, readers consider the importance of perseverance and self-belief.)