Mouse and Flit — Carol Williams

Mouse and FlitCast out by his parents, Mouse flees to the forest. He meets forest folk, including the fairy-wrens, Tiss and Tezz. who assert he is not a proper mouse. This is most upsetting. What is he, if not a proper mouse?Flit comes to the forest on a strange, colorful night. Small, winged and covered with fine, gold down, she sleeps curled against Mouse's warm belly and wakes, remembering very little of anything. Intelligent and curious, she discovers the use of her wings and laughs at the reaction of Mouse when she touches his nose. She delights in colors, learning their names from anyone willing to teach her. She chatters and asks many questions, which sometimes annoys Mouse, who ponders leaving her, but can't quite bring himself to do so.After some time, Mouse becomes unsettled. He needs to find his Other—another like himself. Jealousy ripples through Flit. She has no memory of her life before the forest and, even though Mouse has explained what his previous family was like—with Ma, Pop, brothers, sisters and cousins, Flit cannot comprehend his need for one. Nevertheless, she decides to travel with him.Their journey is difficult and dangerous. Both are injured and Mouse is trapped by humans. He is distressed until he smells another like himself—a female named Coni. Caged beside her, he becomes besotted. He has found his Other.Meanwhile, Flit has slipped unseen into the room where Mouse is held. Very upset when she sees Mouse with his Other, she has to decide whether to help them escape, or leave and attempt to make a life of her own back in the forest with her other friends.