Hickory, Dickory, Dock: Hickory, Dickory, Dock. The Mouse ran up the clock

Hickory, Dickory, Dock!

The mouse ran up the clock.

The clock struck one,

The mouse ran down,

Hickory, Dickory, Dock!

WITHIN the hollow wall of an old brick mansion, away up near the roof, there lived a family of mice. It was a snug little home, pleasant and quiet, and as dark as any mouse could desire. Mamma Mouse liked it because, as she said, the draught that came through the rafters made it cool in summer, and they were near enough to the chimney to keep warm in winter-time.

Besides the Mamma Mouse there were three children, named Hickory and Dickory and Dock. There had once been a Papa Mouse as well; but while he was hunting for food one night he saw a nice piece of cheese in a wire box, and attempted to get it. The minute he stuck his head into the box, however, it closed with a snap that nearly cut his head off, and when Mamma Mouse came down to look for him he was quite dead. The story becomes better after this somber opening, trust me. Find out why those mice ran up that clock.