Diana Malivani
Bazilio and
the Little Mice
An Illustrated Story in Verse
Translated from Russian into English by
Mark Herman and Ronnie Apter
Illustrated by the Author
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A Merry Adventure of the Little Mice in the Restaurant of the Tom-Cat Bazilio (an Illustrated Story in Verse)
For a little girl named Michelle
The Author would like to express her deep gratitude to her husband for his support and assistance with this book
Table of Contents
Bazilio and the Little Mice
The Author
Other books by the Author
Bazilio and the Little Mice
On the island of Sardinia
Where the southern sun is hot,
A mouse house with one window
Stood in a pleasant spot.
The six little mice who live there
Merrily laugh and shriek
As they bustle about inside and out
With a rustle, squawk, and squeak.
Six plump gray lumps of mischief,
Oh, how they love to eat!
Oh, how they love to find a chunk
Of cheese – now that’s a treat!
Not far from the mouse house
Was a first-rate café,
Owned and run by a tom-cat,
A notable gourmet.
The worthy cat Bazilio
Had named his restaurant
For one of its famous dishes,
«A Piece of Parmesan».
On the island of Sardinia
Where grape vines grow,
«A Piece of Parmesan»
Is the place to go.
Known throughout the region
For its elegant cuisine,
«A Piece of Parmesan»
Is every gourmet’s dream.
Risotto parmigiana,
Cheese-encrusted bream,
Ricotta ravioli,
Cannoli topped with cream!
Linguine with gorgonzola,
Subtle roquefort soup,
Bruschetta with mozzarella,
Cheddar served with fruit!
Six noses twitched when a wonderful smell
Was wafted by the breeze.
The mice decided then and there,
«We have to eat that cheese!»
That night they met at the restaurant,
But the locked front door was mouse-proof.
So up they climbed and quickly chewed
A mouse hole through the roof.
They crashed smack on the counter,
Shattering plates as they fell.
No time to tie on napkins,
They just started eating pell-mell.
First they devoured the panna cotta,
Polished off the fettuccine,
Guzzled bellini to wash it all down,
Then turned to attack the linguine!
Not just one and not just two
Hours slipped away
As the mice forgot they should
Be off by break of day.
Cheese was scattered everywhere,
Every dish was dirty,
All six mice were fast asleep,
The time was just eight thirty.
Uh oh! Bazilio stands by the door,
In his hand a broom!
See the mice run as he tries to sweep
The intruders from the room.
But the mischievous mice begged pardon
And the cat found it in himself
To forgive and even offered
To take them on as help.
On the island of Sardinia
Where the sun shines on and on,
You’ll always be a welcome guest
At «A Piece of Parmesan».
About the Author
An author and illustrator of children’s books, Diana Malivani lives in Paris, France, where she raises her young daughter Michelle, for whom this tale was originally written. Diana is a Doctor of Medicine (M.D., Ph.D.), specializing in sports medicine and nutrition, with extensive experience in the fitness industry. Diana is passionate about oil painting and preparing tasty and healthy dishes according to her own recipes.
Other books by the Author
English Edition
Snoutie and his Friends
The Great White Rabbit
Bazilio and the Little Mice
The Happy Little Pigs
The Little Honey Bears
The Gnome Magicians
The Little Lost Elephant
The Little Mouse Musicians
French Edition
Snoutie et ses Amis
Lapin Blanc Le Magnifique
Bazilio et les Souriceaux
Les Petits Cochons Heureux
Les Oursons de Miel
Les Nains Magiciens
Le Petit Éléphant Perdu
Les Souriceaux Musiciens
German Edition
Snoutie und seine Freunde
Der Große Weiße Hase
Bazilio un die Kleinen Mäuse
Die Fröhlichen Kleinen Schweinchen
Die Kleinen Honigbären
Die Zwergen-Zauberer
Der Verlorene Kleine Elefant
Die Kleinen Mäusemusikanten