“Sooner or later, I shall depart, and I shall do that with a smile. But before that, I have a last desire. I want to taste the Golden Cheese.”

Mixie, the little doe (female mouse) was on her death bed with her husband Maxie by her side. Both had spent a lifetime together, but it was finally time for Mixie to say good bye to her beloved husband. As both were sitting in their small burrow under a huge tree, holding each other’s hands, there were tears in all eyes — yet each was trying to portray a stronger side for the love of other. While Mixie had made peace with her fate, her husband was still in denial.

One fine day, realizing she has only a few more days to live, Mixie wiped her tears, brought a smile on her face, called upon her husband and said in a very feeble voice,

“Maxie, my time has come. Sooner or later, I shall depart, and I shall do that with a smile. But before that, I have a request — my last desire. I want to taste the Golden Cheese.”

Maxie had tears in her eyes, could not utter a word, but shook his head in disagreement. To succumb to his wife’s last desire would mean that Maxie had to accept his wife’s ill fate, and he was not ready to do that. Sensing her husband’s emotions, Mixie said in her typical cheerful voice,

“Depart me with a smile Dear! Won’t you?”

Her voice had broken down with emotions as she was desperately trying to add cheerfulness to her voice. Both held each other in their arms and continued to cry until sunset. But finally Maxie had to agree to his wife’s request.

Golden cheese was the finest quality of cheese in the entire world. Legend says that it was only available in a land far away and no mouse had ever seen or tasted that.

Maxie was very sad and scared for he had never done anything without her wife. He always believed her to be the wiser one in their relationship, yet was about to take on the toughest journey of his life without her.

As he was about to leave, Maxie asked for a promise from his wife,

“As I bring Golden Cheese back, you have to wait for me. I want to share it with you, when I come back. Maybe our last meal together.”, said Maxie in a breaking voice.

Maxie came out of his burrow, and had no idea where to find the golden cheese. Every mouse knew about the golden cheese, but nobody ever dared to go look for it. As Maxie was wandering around the forest seeking information, a nightingale named Nikki saw the mouse and was sad to see him crying. She went to him, and asked for the reason for his disappointment.

The nightingale told the mouse, “I only know that Golden Cheese is on the other side of the river. I can take you there and then we can try searching for it.”

It brought a slight smile on Maxie’s face. And so it happened that Nikki happily joined the mouse in his journey. During the course of journey, Maxie was gladly telling all the stories about himself and Mixie — of love and marriage and everything in between — their first meeting by the river, the first kiss in the moonlight, how he can always read his wife’s mind, and how they have spent a life time together.

“You are a good storyteller Maxie. I wonder that is how you impressed Mixie!”, said Nikki. Maxie blushed on hearing this appreciation but he was too shy to admit it.

As they crossed the river, both again started to look for Golden Cheese. Immediately, a rabbit named Rinnie saw both of them, and the gleeful stories they were sharing with each others.

When asked about the Golden Cheese, the rabbit said, “I have heard a legend saying that there is a sparrow on the top of the mountain who possesses the Golden Cheese. If you want I can take you there.”

Maxie was elated to hear this. Maxie, Nikki and Rinnie all embarked on this journey with optimism, happiness and hope. As the journey continued, so did the stories of Mixie and Maxie. Maxie explained in detail about their marriage day and how Mixie looked the prettiest bride in the world, and till date is the prettiest of all.

Very soon, the group reached the top of the mountain, and found the golden cheese. The sparrow named Simi was touched by Maxie’s love for his wife and gave him all the golden cheese.

And then what, all four of them — Maxie, Nikki, Rinnie and Simi — embarked on a journey to meet Mixie whom they have come to know so well through all the tales and stories.

A sad Maxie was now a happier person as he had found the Golden cheese and was bringing it back to his wife. The adventure, the friends, the golden cheese, and the beautiful memories — all had made the journey wonderful.

In no time, they all reached the small burrow where the couple lived. But as they entered the burrow, Mixie had already departed.

She was lying on her bed, with a very peaceful smile on her face (as she promised), and a tear that ran through her eyes onto her cheeks and had dried leaving a trail.

Mixie had placed their wedding photograph — both clad in white and with the most innocent smiles on their faces — close to her chest and with a letter underneath it for her husband. Rinnie, picked up the letter and began to read it .

“I know you would find a way, with me or without me. There is your Golden Cheese out there somewhere which you have to find.

Trust the universe, and all the amazing friendships you are going to develop. And remember me often, but with a smile that matches mine, with gratitude that we found each other, and with happiness that gives couple goals to everyone.

Our love shall have no end date, but your grief should. And when you realize that, go find your Golden Cheese, take on new adventures, and foster new relationships.

The adventure, the friends, the golden cheese, and the beautiful memories — all shall make the journey wonderful. And remember, you are a good storyteller, atleast that is how you impressed me! Share our stories with all the new friends — the nightingales, the rabbits, the sparrows — and I know you shall do just fine.

As I shall witness you, I know I will be jealous of all the adventures you are embarking on life without me. But will be glad that I am still living through you.

As far as Golden Cheese is considered, every cheese with you has been tastier than any Golden Cheese in the world.”

The moment Rinnie stopped reading, there were tears in everyone eyes. It appeared they all knew Mixie all along.

Knowing she would not survive, Mixie chose to go alone rather than in the arms of her beloved husband — for she knew, what Maxie needs to learn to cope up with the grief, and that was far more important for Mixie.

They all hugged Maxie and it appeared that they all shared the same sorrow for the loss of Mixie.

As some time passed and finding the right moment Nikki said to Maxie, “You know what, You were right. She still is the prettiest bride in the world.”

It brought a small smile on Maxie’s face. Eventually, Maxie, Nikki, Rinnie and Simi, all said their goodbyes to Mixie and put her to grave. While they were doing that, Maxie put Mixie’s share of golden cheese with her. This way they had their last meal together.

Time passed and eventually Maxie learned to live without Mixie. He is still trying to find his golden cheese and meeting new wonderful people on the way. Rinnie, and company, often joins him in his adventure.

Mixie was right after all —”Our love shall have no end date, but your grief should.” And for the love of his wife, Maxie is trying to live upto that.

Recap to remember:
 — The widowhood effect is a phenomenon in which older people who have lost a spouse have an increased risk of dying themselves.
 — In USA alone, there were 15 million widows/widowers as per 2021 statistics data.
— A 2014 study published in the Journal of Public Health found that people whose spouses had just died had a 66% increased chance of dying within the first three months following their spouse’s death.

Please share your thoughts about the article.
 — If you like reading animal stories, please refer to this list “Fables”.
 — Enjoy reading on Medium? Buy a membership for full access.
 — Ko-Fi account (if you wish to tip)||Twitter