Why is mushak the vehicle of. Ganesha?

Vighnaharta and Vakratunda are some of the names given to Shiv and Gauri-Putra Ganesh. The God of immense wisdom and wit like most other Hindu deities comes inclusive of a vahana

or vehicle, the Mushak raj, a mouse. Though immensely awe-inducing, it is true indeed that the elephant-headed God, God Ganesha has the mount of a mouse.

Stated in the Ganesha Purana is a fascinating tale of the celestial musician-god named Krauncha, who after accidentally stepping on the foot of Muni Vamadeva was cursed to turn into a mouse. Petrified, humiliated and in immense pain, he launched himself causing misery and a reign of terror in the three worlds. But after Muni Vamadeva’s anger had calmed down, he left with an alternative of the curse that ensured that one day even gods would bow down before him.

Rightly so, when Shree Ganesha visited Maharishi Parashar’s ashrama, he was met with the destruction caused by Krauncha and decided to teach him a lesson. The prophecy came true and Krauncha after being defeated by Ganesha asked the Lord for forgiveness while pleading with him to accept him as his vehicle.