The Tale of Two Bad Mice

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s mischievous but gentle, with a clear ‘make it right’ ending. Great bedtime lesson: when we mess up, we can apologize, fix things, and do better next time.

Story Synopsis

Lucinda and Jane own a splendid doll’s house with real curtains and tiny rooms arranged like a perfect home. One day, while the dolls are out, two mice—Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca—come exploring. They are ordinary mice in a very fancy world, and they are hungry. In the dining room they find an astonishing feast laid out: lobsters, ham, fish, pudding, fruit—everything neatly placed as if ready for a grand dinner. The mice are thrilled. But when they try to eat, nothing comes off the plates. The food is only painted plaster and glued decorations. It looks delicious, but it is not real. Their excitement turns into anger. Feeling tricked, the mice begin to smash and tear at the doll’s house. They break the dishes, knock over furniture, and cause a whirlwind of mouse-sized destruction. Then they leave, hiding away with their feelings. Later, when the dolls return, the house is a mess. The humans blame the dog’s tail or other accidents, but the truth is mouse mischief. Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca eventually return—not to ruin, but to tidy. They sweep, carry away crumbs, and try to set things right. Hunca Munca even takes a few tiny items for her own home, but the story’s tone is gentle: it’s a child’s lesson, not a courtroom. By the end, the mice’s world feels more human: curiosity, disappointment, and repair. The Tale of Two Bad Mice reminds children that it’s okay to feel frustrated—but when we break something, we can choose to mend it. Making amends is its own kind of growing up.

Story Excerpt

Once upon a time there was a very beautiful doll’s - house. It was built of red brick with bright white windows, and it had real muslin curtains that hung softly inside. There was a front door that opened, and a chimney that stood up proudly, as if it were a real home. The doll’s - house belonged to two dolls named Lucinda and Jane. Or rather, it belonged to Lucinda — but Lucinda never ordered meals. Jane was the Cook. But Jane never did any cooking, because the dinner had been bought ready - made and packed in a box with curly shavings. Inside the doll’s - house dining - room, a splendid dinner was laid out. There were two red lobsters and a ham, a fish, a pudding, and some pears and oranges. Everything looked so delicious and so neat. Only there was one strange thing about that dinner : it would not come off the plates. One morning, Lucinda and Jane went out for a drive in the doll’s perambulator. The nursery became very quiet. No one was there. The fire - place gave a gentle warmth, and the room seemed to hold its breath. Then, in the corner near the fire - place, there was a little scuffling and scratching sound — close to a small hole under the skirting - board. A tiny head popped out. It was Tom Thumb. Tom Thumb was a mouse. He looked around quickly, and then popped back in again. A moment later another small head appeared — Hunca Munca, his wife. When she saw the nursery was empty, she ventured out…

In One Glance