Story 44: Reza Shadey and the Ghost Mouse
One dark and whispery night, Reza Shadey prowled through Mrs Higgins's garden, his fluffy coat blending into the shadows like a ninja in fur slippers. Suddenly, something glowed near the compost bin! GASP! A tiny mouse, twinkling like a star, floated straight through a leaf!
This was Glimmer, a ghost mouse on a mission to haunt! You see, Glimmer was once a very much alive mouse, who Reza had chased relentlessly, without ever catching him, of course. He had come from the Other Side to give one naughty cat a good fright. But he didn't know Reza. Oh no. Reza Shadey had no guilt, no shame, and definitely no fear. Instead of running, he grinned. "A ghost mouse? Delightful! Let the scamming commence!"
The next morning, Reza leaped onto the garden shed, puffed out his chest, and announced in his loudest, most dramatic voice: "MEOW-MEOW-MEOW! LISTEN UP, MY SIMPLE-MINDED FRIENDS! A spooky spectre haunts us! A shimmering, cheese-stealing phantom! But fear not, for I, Reza Shadey, Ghost-Buster Extraordinaire, shall save you all — for a teeny-tiny treat fee, of course!"
Penelope blinked her elegant eyes. "Really, Rezzi? A ghost mouse? Not just a shiny pebble that rolled away?"
Ginger Tom licked his chops thoughtfully. "Does ghost mouse taste like sparkly jellyfish? Asking for a friend, obviously."
Tiger bounced in excited circles. "Can I chase it? Can I be haunted too?! Please, please, pretty please with catnip on top!"
Reza nodded solemnly, trying very hard not to giggle. "Indeed! Ghosts steal naps, make your whiskers tingle, and worst of all, they pinch your favourite snacks! Only I, with my magnificent ghost-busting paws, can protect you. My fee? Premium tuna or a mountain of dreamies!"
And so, "Reza's Ghostly Go-Away Service" began! Cats from all over the neighbourhood lined up with their most prized possessions: crunchy biscuits, bouncy balls, and even Mrs Higgins left out extra salmon "just in case." Reza would prance about, wave his paws mysteriously, and mumble spooky nonsense like, "Be gone, wobbly wisp of doom!" Glimmer, trying his very best to be scary, became the star of the show without even meaning to. He'd float past, glowing, and the cats would gasp and then immediately pay Reza more treats.
Reza even held exclusive "ghost galas" behind the compost bin. Wearing a colander on his head as a "spirit hat", he'd ask Glimmer important questions like, "O wise Glimmer, will Penelope find a warm sunbeam today?" Then he'd subtly nudge Glimmer, who would squeak politely. "The spirits say... MAYBE! Now, where's my payment?" Reza would then collect his fee.
His most important, and floofiest, client was a magnificent Persian named Shah Fluffybutt. Reza convinced him that Glimmer could find lost chicken pieces that had rolled under the sofa. So, every day, Shah Fluffybutt would bring delicious roast dinners to Mrs Higgins's best armchair — which had now become Reza's new "consultation throne."
But Glimmer had had enough! He came to haunt, not to be a party trick or a chicken-finding assistant! One night, as Shah Fluffybutt arrived with a whole plate of salmon, Glimmer floated up to Reza, gave one final, exasperated "BOO!" and vanished forever with a soft pop!
Reza Shadey was devastated — not about Glimmer, but about the disappearing salmon and the endless supply of dreamies! "Meee-YOWCH!" he wailed. Then, quickly composing himself, he declared, "Fear not, my loyal clients! I was simply too brilliant! The ghost fled from my overwhelming greatness! My ghost-busting skills are simply too potent!"
But Shah Fluffybutt frowned. "No ghosty? No fishy." The other cats began to grumble. Penelope demanded her prawns back. Ginger Tom hugged his empty box of crunchy biscuits. Tiger just wanted his bouncy ball back, no ghost required.
And so, Reza's ghostly business crumbled like soggy cat biscuits left out in the rain. He curled up in his bed, muttering to himself, "Haunted by poor staffing. Next ghost gets a proper contract and a strict no-vanish clause!"
Night night. Sleep tight. And beware of cheeky ghost mice — unless they bring snacks!