The was quite a commotion when Ezra was born. After all, his parents Biff and DeeDee were really old when he was born. Many thought that DeeDee would never have children, but miracle of miracles, here was Ezra. He was so big, unlike the other mice in the community and he was pure white.

No one ever said anything out loud to Ezra and his family but the gossip was heard just the same. Why is he so big and white? The other mice are cute and gray or brown and tiny. You would think that Ezra wasn't even a mouse at all. And that tail, he as hair growing all over it, Isn't that disgusting? Tails aren't supposed to have hair.

As Ezra grew his life became a living hell. Each day he become more different and each day his torment grew. Because of his size he was asked to get food for the community and yet when he brought it home, he was the last to eat because he was so big. He was not allowed to talk because he sounded funny and he would spend hours each day biting off the hair on his tail.

He would often dream of living somewhere else where he could be in peace and allowed to live his life as he chose. In fact, this was his nightly prayer in addition to doing something good for others. One day after hunting for food all day, he came home to the worst day of his life.

Old Biff was the first to greet him when he arrived. Son, I have some bad news for you. It's about your Mother. You know she hasn't been feeling well lately and her time has come. I'm afraid she's gone. Here's a letter she's left for you to read, Better take it off somewhere private so you can see what's inside. OK, Dad. said Ezra, Thanks a lot.

But there was too much commotion going on to read the letter. It seems that there was an upcoming birth about to take place that was going to make some big changes. Everyone had been talking about it for years especially the humans but no one seemed to know exactly when this birth would take place.

In fact, when Ezra was born there was talk that he was that special person, but the cow in the barn assured the mice that the king of all there is couldn't possibly be a mouse, he had to be a king and born in a palace. Everyone agreed and they all waited for the birth.

Something had to be happening now, humans were arriving all day and night and filling up the town. In fact. food was harder to get than ever with so many humans around. And it was getting real cold too. Any day now the humans would use the barn for themselves and the mice would have no choice but to go out into the fields and freeze to death.

In the middle of all this, Ezra went off into a corner and read his letter. It said. Dear Son, Things aren't always what they seem. First of all let me tell you that I have never been prouder of anyone as I am of you. You are so special. In fact that is what this letter is all about. You see son, before your were born, I used to cry because I had no children. Everyday this was my goal to have a son.

One day as I was hunting for food, I ran across my old enemy Samantha the cat. She was in terrible shape. It seems that she had been in a fight and had come out the worse for ware. In addition, she had young ones that she could no longer take care of, so she begged me to help her find a home for her children I promised I would find a home for you but you were so weak and helpless I decided to take care of you myself until you got better.

Everyday I would promise myself that I would tell you, especially when I saw how the other mice would treat you, but something inside me said to wait and so I did. Now that I am gone, I can set you free. As soon as you can, go to the main house and the cook will take you in and feed you and when you have to hunt for mice please be kind to them and do not do to them what they did to you. Two wrongs do not make a right. Do this for me son, please. Love your Mother.

Ezra was in shock, how could this have happened to him. What kind of injustice is there to have allowed this to happen. All those years of misery. Wasted empty years and I'm supposed to forget all that and treat mice nice? Are you kidding? I'm going to get even with all of them. Well some of them anyway.

Just then a beetle came by and said, Have you heard the news? The child is about to be born tonight that will change everything. Isn't it wonderful? Oh happy days are here again. What birth? said Ezra. Who will change what? Get serious, man. There is no hope only pain suffering and death. Look at our lives, you call this happiness?

I have been shunned and made fun of all my life and how hard did I try to be good and to realize that I wasn't even what i thought I was. I so mad. I hope the new king gets the same treatment as I did. Then we'll see if he really is a king or not. Oh Ezra, said the beetle, Why are you so hard headed. Don't you know that God has prepared you for something wonderful?

Listen, don't give me any of your religious baloney, said Ezra. If there is God, why would he do this to me? And what is he preparing me for? Now you're going to tell me I am an Ascended Master and my life here is to suffer. I don't buy it. Take your fairy tales some where else and leave me alone. I've got some food to get and a place to sleep before tonight. I'm sure that your God doesn't have room for an ex-mouse that is now a useless cat. What a life.

But that night was unlike any other night. This was a special night for everyone. For on this night hope was born in the barn, of all places. As the news spread all rushed to get gifts for the newborn. That is everyone except Ezra. he would have no part of this. He had to take care of himself and nothing was more important than that. He ventured into the barn in search for food and a place to stay.

As he approached the barn, something was happening to Ezra. He felt funny. All that anger and hurt was like melting away and being replaced with this new feeling. He didn't know what it was, until he heard the cow say to him, Peace be to you. That's it. Said Ezra to himself. This is peace. What a wonderful thing.

But of course, this can't last. It's only for the good and I am certainly not one of them. I don't even deserve to be here. I guess I should leave. Just then a human spotted him and picked him up. The human said, What a beautiful cat. Why not put him in the crib to keep the baby warm? Yes, that's an excellent idea said the Mother. Give me the cat.

Before he knew it. Ezra was in the crib. Help me God, said Ezra. I've never prayed to you before but I need help. I'm not supposed to be here and when the humans find out who I really am they will kill me for sure. Yet in the middle of all this I feel great peace. Like everything is all right and I haven't a care in the world. How can this be?

Then Ezra had a thought that changed his life. He sat there in terror and thought, Oh my God, I'm just where I'm supposed to be. Everything had to happen to me the way that it did for me to get to this point. And you know what everyone has a purpose and a reason for being, even a useless cat. With that thought. Ezra purred himself to sleep. for the first time ever he slept the sleep of the peaceful. He was safe, he was home. He was at his Masters feet, doing his job. Making this place somehow better, just by being himself.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CAT AND HIS FRIEND