In the first place, it was not gray but an utterly mad blue. It had a fat little body like an o'possum, hind feet like those of a kangaroo, the front paws of a monkey, and instead of delicate and transparent ears, these were long and much like those of a rabbit. And what is more, they were blue, too, and violently orange-colored on the inside. But the worst thing of all was that it had no tail. The fact that he has decidedly curious features – and no tail – is not the only thing that sets Manxmouse apart from run-of-the-mill mice, for he has an extraordinarily sweet and gentle nature, is so innocent about the ways of the world that he knows no fear. Just after the stroke of thirteen on the night of his creation by a tipsy ceramist, Manxmouse sets boldly off from Buntingdowndale on the road to high adventure and self-discovery...
Paul William Gallico (1897–1976) was a successful American novelist, short story and sports writer. Many of his works were adapted for motion pictures. He is perhaps best remembered for The Snow Goose, his only real critical success, and for the novel The Poseidon Adventure, primarily through the 1972 film adaptation.
