| “ | True enough, my fellows! Listen closely and perceive not the slightest peep or whisper of... "Oh, no, brave and noble mice! You're going the wrong way!" | „ |
| ~ One of the original Three Blind Mice to his brothers as they are exploring the Kingdom of Haven in Fables #100 — "After the Duel, Part Two: A Thing with Those Mice" |
The Three Blind Mice are a trio of small and naive animal Fables who live at the Farm, and debut in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm." They frequently embark on their own little adventures, providing comic relief. The original trio consists of Leland, Prescott and Thaddeus. Thaddeus is eventually killed and replaced by a fourth blind mice, Marcel.
History[]
Exile[]
When the Adversary's army invaded King Cole's kingdom, many of the citizens – including the original Three Blind Mice[3] (Leland, Prescott, and Thaddeus)[9] – were forced to abandon their homes and flee for safety. The mice found shelter in an abandoned mine, along with other Fables seeking refuge. Eventually, King Cole also found his way to their sanctuary. King Cole always ensured that his people were fed before he ate, causing him to go without food and leading to his eventual delirium from starvation. Witnessing the suffering of their leader, the remaining Fables in the cave felt compelled to take action and forage for sustenance. A group of them was sent on expedition, where they stumbled upon a farmhouse located nearby. Despite being blind, the trio of mice bravely offered to be the spies and venture into the farmhouse. The members of the adventure team successfully pilfered the much-needed food, but the Three Blind Mice were caught red-handed by the farmer's wife holding a sharp carving knife. She angrily punished them by severing their tails, but the quick mice were able to escape by running away. Eventually, the small community was able to escape the Homelands and settle in Fabletown, a secret Fable community in the mundane world, where Cole was elected mayor.[3]
Unfortunately, with the ever-expanding mundane population around them, King Cole was eventually left with no option but to exile all animal Fables to the Farm in order to maintain the secrecy of Fabletown from the mundys.[3]
Goldilocks' revolution[]
The three mice appear in the barn, present at a gathering of Fable creatures discussing whether they should take up arms against the Adversary. Coincidentally, Snow White arrives at the Farm just as she does twice a year to check on the Fable community there, and walks in on them. The animals are shocked when they notice her sudden presence in the room. When Dun suggests that they postpone the remainder of the meeting, one of the mice is quick to protest, exclaiming, "Out of order!" Despite the objections of the mouse, Dun officially concludes the meeting.[10]
The mice are among the Fables who align themselves with Goldilocks' rebels in their scheme to overthrow the human residents of Fabletown. The three participate in a hunt for Reynard the Fox, to keep him from sounding the alarm.[11]
The mice stand among the many animal Fables gathered in the Farm square as Dun speaks to the crowd, announcing that the time has come to make a move on Fabletown in New York City. However, Snow takes action by compelling the surrender of the group through the intimidation of the three giant brothers, and the dragon Clara.[12] As the revolution teeters on the edge of erupting once more after Goldilocks shoots Snow, the mouse trio stands among the Fables present. However, a faction of human Fables swiftly seize control.[13]
After the revolution[]
When Baba Yaga's hut runs amok on the Farm, Mustard Pot Pete forms a makeshift posse in a desperate attempt to regain control of the cabin. Two of the mice are seen flying through the air as the rest of the animals struggle to secure the runaway cabin as it careens through the woods.[14]
Following Prince Charming's failure to fulfil his promise of granting transformations to all non-human Fables upon assuming the role of Mayor of Fabletown, the Three Blind Mice bear witness to Rockford and Stinky engaging in a heated argument about the Prince's broken promises.[15]
On a sunny day, Boy Blue sits on the front steps of the main house, while Rose Red joins him. Meanwhile, the mouse trio can be seen moving around outside.[9] The mice are quite buzy exploring the Farm, with Prescott and Thaddeus following closely behind Leland. The latter is determined to lead them to Smalltown, a mythical place rumored to be home to exotic mouse maidens. According to legend, any mouse who makes it there and proves themselves as a brave and heroic warrior from their homeland will be rewarded with sixteen virgin fillies. Or at least, that's what the Great Book of Remembrance supposedly says – although none of them has read it, because they are all blind. However, they trust that if this information were not true, someone would have told them by now. The trio meanders around until they stumble upon a round metal entryway. Convinced that they have discovered the entrance to Smalltown, the three individuals step into the opening, only to realize that the pathway seems to be shrinking as they progress. However, the "passageway" is actually just Boy Blue's trumpet. Looking to rid his musical instrument of the unwanted intruders, Boy Blue lifts it up to his lips and blows with force, sending the mice flying through the air and crashing to the ground. The mice are disoriented and confused, but they firmly believe that they have arrived in Smalltown now. They waste no time and quickly set off to find the promised mouse women.[1]
Later, the mice are among the Farm Fables listening to Boy Blue as he recounts the story of the Adversary's recent ill-fated attack on the Kingdom of Haven. Blue states that many of the soldiers who fled in terror from Flycatcher's ghost army were subsequently hunted down by the Empire and executed by the thousands outside Imperial City. One of the mice reacts in horror and wonders if anyone got away. Blue explains that some did escape, and ironically, most of them did so enough by returning to Haven and swearing allegiance to Flycatcher.[16]
Fabletown-Imperial war[]
Boy Blue presents the Farm's Fables with an opportunity to move to Haven and start fresh, prompting the mice to discuss what questions they should ask before making a decision. One of the mice starts to panic as he considers how he will explain his departure to his online friends. They all believe that he is a regular human, unaware that he is actually a magical being with the opportunity to return to his otherdimensional home. He ponders over what he should say to his online girlfriend, Mary. She knows him as Ricky, a high school student from Seattle, and he worries that she will be heartbroken when he decides to end their virtual romance.[4]
Threat of Mister Dark[]
After Boy Blue's funeral, the mice attend a small informal wake for Boy Blue in the barn.[17]
Two of the mice attend a sermon where Stinky, now going by Brock Blueheart, preaches with great conviction that Boy Blue will one day return from the dead to slay the Fables' great foe Mister Dark and usher in a new age of power and glory.[18]
As Rose Red and Jack Horner are having loud sex in Rose's bedroom, the mice join a group of animal Fables assembled at the staircase, all eagerly listening to the commotion from upstairs.[19]
When Pinocchio gets into a scuffle with the Blue Fairy, the mice sit on the fence, commenting on the fight among themselves, wondering who is winning and if Pinocchio has ripped off any of the Blue Fairy's clothes. The fight sends them both tumbling into the fence, which breaks, causing the mice to soar through the air, remarking among themselves that mice in flight is never a good thing.[20]
The mice are among the Fables who gather in the Farm square as Rose Red addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression. Following that, the mice patiently queue up to have a conversation with Rose, and can be spotted lounging on the ground afterward as she speaks to the Fables about the complaints, concerns, advice, and demands of the Farm residents.[21]
On the way to The Magical Valley of Infinite Accidentally Dropped Pizza-Bites--Extra Cheese
Before Frau Totenkinder's showdown with Mister Dark in New York City, the Three Blind Mice discuss the meaning of the word "duel." One of them recites the OED's definition of a duel, while the other claims that it also defines a duel as a form of "trial by wager or battle." This prompts him to question if betting is allowed and where his wallet might be. The third mouse mistakenly states that the OED also includes a definition for "duel" as "dwell," and ponders if the supposed duel is actually a housewarming celebration to which they were not invited. Following Totenkinder's victory over Mister Dark, the mice join the jubilant Fables who are celebrating the defeat of their enemy. The following day, the mice embark on an adventure through the Farm square, passing by a slumbering Reynard the Fox. Thaddeus and Prescott are convinced they are on the right path to The Magical Valley of Infinite Accidentally Dropped Pizza-Bites--Extra Cheese, since no one has intervened to redirect them. Meanwhile, Leland is singing the folk traditional song "Frog Went a-Courting." Unfortunately, everyone's joy at Mister Dark's defeat is short-lived as it soon becomes apparent that the defeat was only temporary and all the Fables must flee to the Kingdom of Haven for safety.[22]
Kingdom of Haven[]
Upon their arrival in Haven, the Three Blind Mice are steadfast in their belief that the King will bestow upon them knighthoods, along with treasures and castles, as rewards for their acts of bravery. After all, no one has said otherwise to contradict this belief. The enthusiastic mice eagerly began their exploration of their new home, but little do they know, they have walked directly into a marshy area and straight into the jaws of a massive alligator-like creature known as Big Bob. Bob closes his mouth and plunges underwater, as Trusty John and Weyland Smith observe the scene. John remembers how much he liked having the mice around and considers if they should intervene, but Weyland assures him that Big Bob knows the rules and will release the mice after playing with them for a bit.[7]
Brock Blueheart addresses a gathering of animal Fables and shares his vision of Boy Blue returning from the dead to defeat the Dark One in glorious fashion. Two of the mice are among those present for the sermon.[23]
In the end, Mister Dark is defeated by the North Wind. Brock Blueheart erroneously holds the belief that Boy Blue was the individial responsible for vanquishing the Dark One, and that he failed to witness Blue's revival. However, the Three Blind Mice promptly remind him that Brock himself had previously stated that Blue's reappearance would be heralded by the resounding notes of trumpets. Adding to the conversation, Rockford asserts that he did not perceive the faintest sound of trumpets.[24]
Return to the Farm[]
When the Fables are celebrating Christmas at the Farm, the Three Blind Mice join in, linking paws and walking sticks with the White Rabbit and Chicken Little in a lively line dance. However, the mice's lack of sight makes it difficult for them to stay on their feet.[25]
A new trio[]
When a group of humanoid ninja rats launch an attack on the Wolf family,[26] Snow White asks the Three Blind Mice to come to Fabletown and do some research on the rat assassins. The trio kindly agree to help and find the process of determining where these bandits come from, fascinating; albeit somewhat lengthy.[2] The mice perform an autopsy on one of the rat ninjas' corpses, but they find nothing.[27] Thaddeus,[5] who has just been exploring the mouse's innards, decides to wash off, and while separated from the other two, he is grabbed by one of the rats. However, he appears to return to his companions as if nothing has happened.[27]
Dickory manages to get an injured Fairy Godmother medical attention, despite her having taken a bullet to the head. With frustration, what appears to be one of the Three Blind Mice waits for Dickory to leave him alone with her, but he is called away by his companions before that happens. Snow White leaves Sheriff Beast to watch over her, causing the rogue member of the Three Blind Mice great frustration.[8]
The Three Blind Mice discover with surprise that the mundy-Fable rat creatures who attacked Snow White all share the same father. On their way to inform her, though, one of their number discovers the desiccated corpse of one of one he recognizes as his brother — which means that one of the three is an imposter and a murderer. Meanwhile, Cinderella returns to Fabletown with Marcel, a mouse who was transformed into a human. After briefing Snow White, they are interrupted by violent knocking at the door, and are surprised to see the remaining two blind mice outside, being chased after by a host of villainous rat-mundy hybrids.[5]
Some of the rats are killed when Snow tricks them into jumping from a great height. The Fairy Godmother defeats the rest with magic, but Marcel is returned to mouse form and blinded in the process. Leland and Prescott, who both have knowledge about blindness, kindly offer to take him in. Marcel then joins the Three Blind Mice, replacing Thaddeus as the third member,[28] as killed Fables often get magically replaced by new versions of the same Fables.[29] The new trio is seen attending a surprise party for Crispin Cordwainer.[28]
The glamour crusade[]
One day, the mice join the other animal Fables in the barn to hear Reynard the Fox's latest tales of his adventures. The newly recruited knight of Rose Red's new Round Table has gained the power to switch between human and fox forms whenever he desires, and everyone is eager to hear about his experiences. The mice eagerly inquire about his supposed experiences with grand hotels, cheese boards and unlimited free Wi-Fi. After Reynard leaves, Mister Sunflower makes a derogatory comment about the animal Fables, comparing them to cattle for voting in Prince Charming as mayor, the talking cow Luna jumps in and says she resents his remark. However, the Three Blind Mice chime in, acknowledging that there may be some truth to Sunflower's statement. Mr. Sunflower rallies the animal Fables to speak up and demand the glamours that Prince Charming had promised them when he was elected mayor. The mice and many other animal Fables join him as he leads a raucous protest in the center of the Farm. They shout for their glamours and hold up signs as they make their voices heard.[30]
The mice are subsequently among the numerous animal Fables present when the victors of the Lottery for the new glamours are declared, and when the glamours are cast upon them. When King Cole is accidentally transformed into a cat during the casting, he immediately sets his sights on catching the Three Blind Mice for dinner. The mice panic and try to run away, but the feline Cole is quicker and almost catches them, referring to them as appetizer, main course and dessert. Fortunately, Pussy Cat, glamored as a human, swoops in and grabs King Cole before he can do anything he might regret later. The mice seize the opportunity to put as much distance between themselves and the transformed Mayor as possible.[31]
The Three Blind Mice can later be spotted in a panel among a group of animal Fables at the Farm bidding farewell to the readers in Fables #150.[32]
Miss Mousyworld[]
The mice have their small bags and suitcases ready as they join the rest of the Fables at Castle Dark, getting ready to journey back to the Homelands. They approach Flycatcher, inquiring if he is responsible for magical transportation and repatriation to the different Fable realms. Flycatcher acknowledges that he is one of the individuals who handle these tasks. According to Leland, a book titled the Big Book of Rights and Privileges According to Persons of Special Regard and Entitlement claims that they are next in line to leave. He firmly believes in the existence of the book, arguing that they live in a civilized society with diverse and exceptional individuals who would have surely informed them if the book was not real. He is also convinced that if the book did not mention their turn being next, someone would have made sure to inform them of it. Flycatcher knows there's no point in arguing with the mice, so he agrees to transport them. Rather than returning to their old homeland, the mice demand to be taken to a land of beautiful mouse women and delectable cuisine, where there is an ancient prophecy stating three blind mouse brothers are destined to rule this land. Flycatcher is unsure about the existence of such a world, but the mice argue that since Flycatcher can transport them to all the different places in existence, if he sets his sights on this particular world, it has to exist by default. Even if it only materializes because he happens to be traveling towards it.[6]
Flycatcher agrees to lead them to this wondrous place, and the Three Blind Mice are crowned as the triumvirate rulers of Miss Mousyworld, where they bask in the adoration of the stunning female mice that surround them. However, one of them complains about the lack of decent tech support since his tablet has been malfunctioning for a month, regretting their decision to choose a world with subpar technology.[6]
Appearances[]
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Original source[]
Both incarnations of the group are based on "Three Blind Mice," an English nursery rhyme. It goes:
Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run. See how they run.
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife.
Did you ever see such a sight in your life
As three blind mice?