Throwback: Mr. Rat and His Lovely Daughter

Hello! Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a throwback episode. Tune in to hear one of our classic stories from the archive that you might have missed the first time around. We have stories podcast merch available at storiespodcast.com slash shop. We're also on Camille for all of your personalized video message needs and don't

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Thanks! Enjoy the episode! After Rat and his lovely daughter Once upon a time, Mr. Rat decided it was time to find a husband for his daughter.

A long time ago, it was customary for fathers to do things like this, and Mr. Rat took this responsibility very seriously. He was an old rat, his fur gone gray and bushy, his tail ragged and his whiskers chewed. daughter though, she was a great beauty. At least T. Thoughts-O. Her tail was long and pink,

her whiskers fine as silver needles, her fur was soft as any kitten, and her little squeaky voice brought joy to all who heard it. Her name was Sakura, which means cherry blossom. Mr. Rat had chosen it for his daughter because she had the loveliest nose of the The paleist pink just like the flowers he saw every spring.

To him she was perfect and she deserved the best husband in the world. My daughter, my Shakura, my cherry blossom on the wind. He said when she sat down for dinner, you must have a husband. Tell me who you want and we can make it show.

Shakura smiled over her rice. Well, she said a little smile tugging at her whiskers. She had been expecting this conversation. To tell you the truth, I do have someone in mind. What? Who? Her father asked, tail twitching.

Sora, she said, her eyes far away and sparkling. When she said his name, it was like wind through the cherry blossoms. No doubt she was in love. Sora, Mr. Ratsblood, that lazy rat who lives in a box down the road?

No, no way. He's chewing us a house in the outer wall, it's almost done. I said no, Shikura, absolutely not. No, lowly rat is good enough for my daughter.

But, Dad, succurus said patiently, we are rats. Her father slapped his paw on their little table, sending rice leaping into the air. Rats, of course, were rats! He said as succurupold rice from her fur.

We're rats, but you're special. The smartest, the funniest and the prettiest are true, catch. like silver needles, hair soft as a cat, nose, pink as a cherry blossom, no rat will do for you, no. You deserve a husband worthy of such earth-shaking beauty, but who in the world is strong enough

to deserve you? He leapt up, scattering the rice Sakura had just finished cleaning. She rolled her eyes, familiar with her father's dramatic. Oh, I've got it. He said, not in the world. Not on the world I should say. Who is worthy of my wonderful daughter, but the son itself? Shining gold in in the sky. The sun that lights the world. The sun. But Dad, I don't want to marry the sun. I want to marry Sora.

Now, now, a little rat like that isn't worthy of a beauty like you, you'll only have the best. Think of it, Shakura. The sun.

Who stronger than that? No one. Now, that's a good husband. I mean, I think a good husband is probably one that loves me a lot and wants to build the

same kind of life as me, and also maybe isn't molting lava hot all the time? Details, details. The Kura tried to find an argument that would convince him, but her father wouldn't listen. No more arguing.

He said finally, I'm going to bed and when we get up tomorrow, we're going to ask the son to marry you. It'll be my son in law! He slammed his bedroom door behind him, ending the conversation.

Sakura sat and worried over her rice until it grew cold and clumpy. She knew it was customary for fathers to plan their daughter's marriages, but she didn't think it was fair. She knew that he loved her and wanted the best for her, but why should her dad get to

decide who she spent her life with? It was her life. It didn't really make sense. She didn't want to marry the son.

She didn't want to marry anyone, but Sora. Luckily, Sakura wasn't just a pretty rat with silver needle whiskers. She was also a smart and determined one. It took a few more hours and a whole pot of tea, but finally, Secure a thought of a clever

plan. She snuck out that night and talked to the sun and a few others. They agreed to her plan, and when Mr. Rat woke up the next morning, everything was in place. So, Kuro! He called when he was up and dressed.

Are you ready to go and find your husband? The pretty and smart and determined rat came out of her room wearing a beautiful robe, one that really brought out the pink in her nose. Yes, father, let's go and talk to the sun.

They lived in the walls of a large house, and outside was a sprawling garden.