...Once upon a time.. In a beautiful forest, lived a little mouse, he was a very sweet little mouse, and a funny little mouse, but...he was a curious little mouse, and he was fascinated by the world. He was also a fabulous little gardener, his best friend Gloria the chicken had showed him many springs ago how to toil the earth, and plant the seeds, and nurture the plants until they grew large, lovely & tasty vegetables...Haxley was very proud & excited about his yellow tomato, it was soooo large, and so round, & so brilliantly yellow that he decided that he would enter it into the contest at the town fair...Early that morning, as the sun was just peeking over the horizon he went to the garden, and gently picked his prized tomato off the vine, he carefully placed it into a basket, and carried it into the kitchen...he washed it carefully, and dried it with the fluffiest towel...he shined it up until it looked absolutely perfect, then he placed it on his mother’s best china plate near the window...the fair didn’t open for a few hours still, but Haxley was much too excited to wait...he decided he would go for a morning power walk...he put on his runners and head out the door...the air was still cool and crisp, and the sky was painted in different shades of pastels as the sun was slowly rising from its slumber...he loved waking up early, and seeing a new day begin, fresh and new with endless possibilities...he looked up and greeted the colourful sky with a smile...and he wished with all the might in his little mouse heart that he would win this contest...he was sooo lost in thought and fantasy, that he had realized he had walked for many many miles, and he was at the very edge of the beautiful forest...he decided it would be best to head back home, on his way back he saw Sven the squirrel..."Gud Morkan Sven"...he teased in a very bad German accent..."Guten Morgen Haxley!" Sven smiled..."would you like to come join me for morning tea?" he asked..Haxley still had much time left, and he agreed to join Sven...they sat on the front porch, and enjoyed freshly baked cookies, and Earl Grey tea.."Mmmm Sven, these cookies are delicious...you should enter them in the town fair today!" he exclaimed..."Maybe I just might!" Sven agreed...after a pleasant breakfast tea together, Haxley waved goodbye and headed back home...he walked up the big hill, and past the frog pond until he reached his little home...he could smell the most delicious aroma coming from his house.... his mother was hustling up a storm in the kitchen...and his father was whistling a merry tune...Haxley paused for a moment and thanked to the universe for such a wonderful family...he loved coming home, he loved the way his mother cooked, and the way aromas of yummy food welcomed him home...he knew he was lucky to be surrounded with love every time he walked thru the door...and all though he loved adventures, and loved exploring the world, the best part was always coming home to a warm kitchen, and a comfy home...to the people that he loved...He swung the door open...and exclaimed.."Hello Mama...Mmm something smells delicious!!" his mother smiled at him and said..."Haxley, thank you so much for the beautiful tomato that you picked for me from your garden...I made a wonderful brie and tomato baked pastry with it!!" Haxley froze...omg...omg...omg...his mother must have thought that tomato was for her!!!....omg of course she thought it was for her, he left it on her most expensive china dish by the window...Haxley’s heart dropped, omg..The contest!!!... He had been growing that prized tomato all summer long...now it was all chopped up and in the oven with pastry & brie...omg!!!....he felt in a panic...how.. Could he be so dumb...why didn’t he leave a note, or just leave it in the garden...ughhhhh!!!Haxley’s mother read the expression on his face..."Haxley, what’s wrong?!"  ....but Haxley loved his mother very much, he didn’t want to disappoint her..."Ohhh Mama...it’s nothing...Mmmm it smells so delicious!" he said...That evening...his father brought out a wonderful bottle of Spanish wine...and they all sat outside on a mild October evening..under the stars, and in the flickering candle light...and enjoyed the tomato and brie bake...it was a perfect evening with the people he loved most...and in that moment he realized that winning a prize wasn’t as important as spending time with his loved ones...and sharing something very special with them..His yellow tomato..."Soooo I heard Sven entered his homemade cookies at the town fair today and won 1st place!" Haxley’s father said...Haxley smiled and said..."Well he deserved it  too. They were delicious!" ..his mother nodded..."Yes but not nearly as delicious as this tomato brie pastry!" they all agreed...."Your right Mama, next year we should enter it into the contest!!!" they all laughed....and Haxley was so proud and happy...happier than winning a silly contest, cause he had what really mattered in life....but....next year...he wanted to win tooo!!!