We're all mad here.

The Cheshire Cat

Write a short story or poem of a most cunning person with the phrase “with the grin of a Cheshire Cat” used somewhere within. (<1000 words)

Melody Black had a mind sharp as tacks,
She could think of new games at a snap.
Every day, without fail, on the grandest of scales,
She was a mischievous brat.

She climbed with a smile, then sat in the pile
Of books that she pulled from the shelf.
In the kitchen with pans, spoons, and two little hands,
She made a drum-set for herself.

For Daddy, one morning, without any warning,
She took her red crayon to his papers,
Fixed grammar and spelling—oh, there was some yelling,
As her daddy had fits of the vapors.

At Daddy's commotion, her mom had a notion,
Said: “Melody, know that we love you,
But four-year-old daughters must let their poor fathers
Know you're proud of him as he is proud of you.”

Little Mel though quite fast, then she quietly asked:
“Mama, you're cunning as that?”
Mama had a small smile, and no hint of guile,
with the grin of a Cheshire Cat.

word count: 164
line count: 20