The Mouse on the Mile

The arrival of a clever mouse, later named Mr. Jingles, brings unexpected joy and conflict to E Block, culminating in Percy's cruelty and John Coffey's miraculous healing.

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First Appearance of Steamboat Willy

A Tiny Visitor The Mouse Checks the Cells One night, a small brown mouse appears on the Green Mile, trotting along as if making rounds. Brutus Howell, Dean Stanton, and Paul watch in amusement as the mouse peers into empty cells. It shows no fear and even accepts a piece of sandwich from Brutal. Naming the Mouse Brutal jokingly enters the mouse in the visitors' log as "Steamboat Willy," after the Disney cartoon. The mouse becomes a recurring presence, always appearing when Percy is not around. The guards begin to see it as a kind of mascot. Percy's Hostility Percy Wetmore hates the mouse and tries to kill it with his baton. The mouse escapes, but Percy's violent reaction foreshadows his cruelty toward Delacroix and Mr. Jingles later.

Delacroix Tames the Mouse

A New Friendship The Mouse Chooses Delacroix Eduard Delacroix, a Cajun murderer, discovers the mouse in his cell. He names it Mr. Jingles and trains it to perform tricks, including fetching a colored spool. The mouse becomes Delacroix's constant companion, bringing him comfort in his final months. The Spool Trick Delacroix shows off Mr. Jingles's abilities to the guards. The mouse rolls the spool back and forth with remarkable precision. The guards are charmed, and even Percy seems momentarily interested, though his motives are suspect. A Symbol of Hope For Delacroix, Mr. Jingles represents a last chance at happiness. For the guards, the mouse is a distraction from the grim reality of death row. But Percy's hatred of the mouse simmers beneath the surface.

Percy Stomps Mr. Jingles

Cruelty Unleashed The Spool Escapes During a tense evening, Delacroix throws the spool too hard, and it rolls out of his cell onto the Green Mile. Mr. Jingles chases after it. Percy sees his chance and deliberately stomps on the mouse, breaking its back. Delacroix's Grief Delacroix screams in horror and despair. The mouse lies bleeding on the linoleum. Percy smirks, satisfied with his revenge for Delacroix's earlier laughter at his humiliation. The Aftermath Paul and Brutal are stunned. They know Percy's act was malicious, but they cannot prove it. The mouse is dying, and Delacroix's last hope seems shattered.

John Coffey Heals Mr. Jingles

A Miracle on the Mile Coffey's Request John Coffey, who has been watching from his cell, calls out to Paul: "Give im to me! While there's still time!" Paul, remembering his own healing, hands the dying mouse to Coffey. The Healing Touch Coffey cups the mouse in his huge hands, breathes into it, and the mouse's broken bones mend. Black insects fly from Coffey's mouth and disappear. Mr. Jingles is restored, though he limps slightly. Witnesses and Wonder Brutal, Dean, and Harry witness the miracle. They are awed and frightened. Delacroix weeps with joy. The event deepens their belief in Coffey's supernatural power and raises questions about his guilt.

Summer 1932, before Delacroix's arrival

Late July 1932, after Delacroix's arrival

Night before Delacroix's execution, October 24, 1932

Immediately after Percy stomps the mouse