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Obituary.

Mickey circa 1932 – 8 May, 2021.

Born circa 1932, cute, two inches tall in his boots, black with white duds held up with large buttons, made of fashionable celluloid. Destined for a long life, he first made an impression on Bruce’s fourth birthday cake and has appeared ever since on birthday cakes too numerous to count.

Age had tended to catch up with Mickey. Somehow some time ago his nose had pushed in and also the soles of his boots had worn through, admitting icing sugar and cake mix to cause health troubles with his hollow legs. No matter, his notoriety and popularity far exceeded those poor looks (Gran has been heard to say ‘Ugly’).

Somehow he came into the care of Kerry, who intended him to sit on the birthday cake she had made for Jesse’s 30th, but, as she was not attending the celebration, released Mickey with the cake and with strict instructions for his care and safe return. Alas, this was to be the last time Kerry was to see that precious icon!

After the main meal the birthday cake appeared before all the guests at Winmalee, pride of place being shared by Mickey (standing erect as befitting an eightynine-year-old) and Noddy (a relatively newcomer). Birthday candles were lit. Suddenly and very dramatically, there was an explosion of flame. Whoof! Notwithstanding Casey’s very quick reaction extinguishing the blaze, Mickey was gone! Celluloid standing too close to candles! Disaster!

What a spectacular exit – no lingering demise. The end of an era. Gone the witness of so many special occasions. Having passed from family heirloom, Mickey henceforth is to live on as family legend.

Small and charred remains have been returned in a casket to Kerry.

Ode to Mickey.

Mickey’s epic story will be long the stuff of poetry and prose

Mickey should have been paranoid
as he was made of celluloid.
So now we’re left to feel morose
the candle flame it burned too close,
and in his cake-top py-re
our friend did vanish in fi-re.

He was there for Bruce on his fourth birthday
and atop his cake he looked so gay.
One time face down, we but suppose,
he fell and squashed his big long nose.

Cried we have a bucket of tears
‘cos Mick’s been round for many long years. (89)
Young novice, you should be forewarned
‘bout all the cakes that he’s adorned,
with pleasure it’s him that you’d greet
e’en though you’d seen he had no feet!

O’er all the years that he had been
you’d tell that he was not too clean!
He used to keep dear Gran awake
his legs were full of old iced cake!

Spectacular in flame he came to his end
and bits in a box now we’ve laid our li’le friend.
Mem’ry to us we’re sure he will make,
for he will be missed on the next birthday cake.
A traditional toast it ever will be
“To the venerated ghost of our old Mick-ey!”