The Tale of the Burrowed Letter
In the heart of Meesylvania, where the moss grows thick and the air smells faintly of ink and toasted acorns, lives the most learned of mice — Professor Maximillian , Librarian & Historian Extraordinary. His burrow beneath the great oak is a labyrinth of scrolls, maps, and curious artifacts that tell the story of generations of scholarly mice who came before him.
One rainy afternoon — the sort of afternoon when the sky forgets to smile and the kettle whistles for company — Professor Maximillian was engaged in his favorite pastime: rummaging. He rummaged through drawers, rummaged through trunks, and finally, rummaged through a particularly dusty chest tucked behind a tower of books titled The Complete History of Cheese in Twelve Volumes.
With a sneeze (for dust has no respect for historians), he lifted the lid of the chest and discovered, wrapped in silk and tied with a faded blue ribbon, a letter. The parchment was yellowed with age, its edges curled like the whiskers of an elderly mouse. Across the top, in the most elegant paw-script, was written:
“To my descendants, should they ever find this,
From Maximillian the First,
Anno MCLXVIII plus three hundred and two.”
“That’s… 1768!” squeaked the Professor, his tail giving an excited twitch. “The very year the humans began building that peculiar contraption they call a spinning jenny! What wonders!”
He unfolded the letter with trembling paws and read aloud:
“Dearest Future Kin,
If you are reading this, it means my chest has been found — and with it, perhaps, a trace of our humble history. Know that I, Maximillian the First, have devoted my life to the pursuit of knowledge — chiefly, the cataloguing of crumbs and the proper preservation of fine cheeses. But above all, I have sought to teach our kind that stories, once told, are never lost.
May our family of curious whiskers always guard the past and pass it on to those who scurry after us.
With nib and love,
— Maximillian , Historian of the Hollow.”
The modern Maximillian dabbed his eyes with a corner of his waistcoat. “What noble sentiment!” he murmured. “What a treasure!”
The discovery caused quite a stir in Meesylvania. Word spread faster than a startled field mouse. The Meesylvania Historical Society called an emergency meeting (which is to say, they gathered at dusk with lanterns and biscuits). After much discussion — and a brief debate over whether the ribbon should be displayed tied or untied — they decided that the letter should be framed in acornwood and placed in the Great Hall for all to see.
And so it was done. Today, visitors to the Meesylvania Historical Society may see the letter, displayed beneath gentle lamplight, the ink still strong and the pawprints still clear. Beneath it is a small brass plaque that reads:
“Discovered by Maximillian VII, Librarian & Historian, in the Year of Acorns 2025. A testament to the enduring curiosity of the Meesewhisker line.”
And if you happen to visit on a quiet evening, you might hear Professor Maximillian The First himself giving a tour, tail swishing proudly, telling wide-eyed young mice:
“Remember, my dears — history isn’t something that sleeps in the past. It only waits for a curious paw to wake it.”
And in that little burrow beneath the oak, the stories — and the mice — live on.
Meesylvania, in the Colony of Fox Hollow, this Tenth Month, Year the Acorns 1768
Dear and Loving Cousins,
I set aside my daily Labours and take Pen in Hand to acquaint thee with the present State of our Affairs, and to impart such Intelligence as may be of Interest to thee and thine.
The Season of Planting being now concluded, we find ourselves well contented with the Increase of our Fields, the Earth having yielded her Bounty in good Measure. Yet I must needs acquaint thee with a Matter of some Sorrow — our faithful Badger, Nell, who hath long been afflicted with Infirmity, hath at length departed this mortal Coil and paid her Debt to Nature. We shall much miss her honest Service and gentle Disposition.
For myself, I have of late been visited by a Distemper, a heaviness and darkness that did much oppress my Constitution. By the kind Offices of Mayor Mouser my Employer here, I was commended to his Brother in Squeak Town who doth practise the Arts veterinary physics. Through his Application of Leeches and the Administration of Mercurial Pills, I am, by God’s Providence, much restored in Health and Spirits.
I purpose shortly to make a Journey unto Otter Hill being chosen to serve upon our Committee of Correspondence, where we labour in the Cause of Liberty and the Advancement of the Independence Meesylvania.
Verily, the Hour approacheth when our Separation from the Empire of Raccoons must no longer be delayed.
Verily, may the humans we chance upon along our way prove of a peaceable temper, and may the weather continue fair and seasonable to favor our journey.
And now, dear Cousins, I commend thee to the Protection of Divine Providence, with sincere Wishes for thy continued Health and Prosperity.
Until we shall once more meet, I remain, with all Affection and Esteem,
Thy Loving Kinsman and Humble Servant,
Maximillian