Hooray, dates are lovely; lovely and nice, and life is good…
Dates are delicious, strawberries are better…

But tea is the best.

Hello, my lovely readers. Oh, life is so lovely and worthwhile…and hot and steaming and in the shape of a cup of tea.

You may be asking, dear readers, why I happen to be in such a good mood this very afternoon. I'll tell you! I'll tell you!

I am having my afternoon tea. And of course writing at the same time. Oh, what a wonderful combination. If any of you readers out there are younglings of the naïve-est kind, then listen closely-oh please do. All the joys of life are contained in a cup of tea. Is tea not sustenance after a long rainy day? Is it not a comfort to hold on winter evenings? An ancient and lovable tradition of the easily pleased? The most INGENIOUS invention invented by an ingenious inventor of inventions? Oh, the happiness to be found in lying back, relaxing, and sipping that cup of delicious tea!

Tea is inspiring and life-changing too! Some people really get quite enthusiastic about it, you know.

Gives them a purpose in life.

Apart from hats.

Perhaps that's just me.

You know, my good friend the Doormouse has had his life transformed by tea. Now you might be saying, "Hang on, that's not right, it's dormouse not doormouse." Well, do I have news for you. It so happens to be doormouse. I think I would know. And of course, the Doormouse is not a name, but rather a title, like the Mad Hatter (normal Hatter, ahem). And like all titles, it was earned. The Doormouse is not some lazy slob lying around in teapots. He works hard opening doors at a hotel for all you people who end up here in Wonderland. (Getting lost isn't very clever you know.)

He mans- well, mouses- the front entrance doors at the hotel. Wears a smart uniform and all. Oh yes, the Doormouse is doing well. And this is ALL because of a cup of tea. It's how he got the job. Flattered the manager with a cup of tea. Very clever. Must get those brains from me.

Gosh, I hope mine are still intact. He didn't steal them, did he?

I'll be right back. That Doormouse and I have a score to settle.