The Marzipan Pig

"The Marzipan Pig" is a children's book by Russell Hoban. The plot involves a candy pig that has somehow fallen behind a couch. The pig laments being forgotten and as dust begins to cover him, he remains hopeful about someone discovering him. When he is eventually found (and eaten) by a mouse, parts of his personality are transferred to the mouse. The mouse in turn, falls in love with a nearby grandfather clock, which does not reciprocate the mouse's love. The mouse eventually leaves the area behind the coach, and after heading outside, is eaten by an owl. Meantime, the clock now falls into disuse, starts to break down, and then knows emptiness.

Outside, the owl falls in love with a lighted taxi meter. Each creature or item in turn starts to have affection for another item, until a new Marzipan Pig is delivered to the house. A different mouse eats the new Marzipan Pig, however, this mouse is not eaten by the owl. The mouse instead dances outside in the moonlight.

The story has been adapted for television and can be seen on HBO as part of their HBO Storybook Musicals series. The adaptation is narrated by Tim Curry.