“Act natural, Asa.” I told myself. “They’ll never suspect a thing.” I’ve thought of everything! My plan is foolproof. No one will be none the wiser, as long as I keep my cool.
Oh but did I do everything as planned? What if I forgot a detail? Nay! My plan is ironclad. Just lie here on the porch and act natural.
Well I suppose just one quick check wouldn’t hurt. After all, if done with tact, Mom and Dad won’t even notice. Yes! Just a quick check to confirm my plan is in play. There, a quick sniff of the floorboards. I didn’t even need to get up. No one even glanced at me. It worked!
Or did it? Perhaps I should take another sniff? Oh that intoxicating smell! How is it that Mom and Dad don’t notice it? It soothes me, knowing all is well just below the porch. Or is it? I’ll calm my restless thoughts with another quick sniff. No harm could happen. Perhaps I should sit up this time? Nothing to see here, Mom. I’m sitting like a good boy. Just looking at my paws. That is all.
Eh, do I detect something is amiss under there? Nonsense! All is well! I’ve thought this through. Besides, I’m not acting alone. The others are well versed. In fact, they’ve done it before. I am merely helping. What could go wrong? But what if they didn’t know the plan? What if they didn’t act accordingly? Or what if I forgot any details? Then all would be ruined!
I can’t let harm come to my little friends! I must be sure all is well! That’s when I leaped to my paws, and breathed deeply the fragrant smell of what was hidden under the porch!
Alas! I forgot my own advice to act natural! Mom noticed my actions! Dad headed to investigate under the porch! I must distract them! No! Stop! I tried to follow, but Mom blocked my way! You’ll ruin my plan!
Sadly, all those hours of plotting and planning, consulting and worrying, were for naught. Dad discovered the ginormous mice nest, carefully built with the help of my fur, that was hidden under the porch. Their nest has since been relocated. My little friends have scattered. My foolproof plan had a fool – ME!
