Hickory, Dickery, Dock

Holding On for Dear Life – Poor Mouse

This poor mouse is trembling in fear and holding on to the hand of the clock for dear life. He is hunched up into almost a ball attempting to avoid what viewers know is his inevitable fate as the clock strikes one. His eyes are large but show only pinpricks for pupils, adding to the sense of foreboding.

Teardrop shaped figures appear on either side of the clock’s hands seemingly pointing to the pitiful mouse. They could also be seen as eyes with the pupils looking up toward the mouse. In this illustration, the focus is clearly on the character and the fate of the mouse, as only he and a portion of the clock are shown.