Mouse Soup (3 page)

“We do not know.

We never will,” said the second stone.

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One day a bird flew down.

“Bird, can you tell us what is on the other side of the hill?” asked the stones.

The bird flew up into the sky.

He flew high over the hill.

He came back and said, “I can see towns and castles.

I can see mountains and valleys.

It is a wonderful sight.”

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The first stone said, “All those things are on the other side of the hill.”

“How sad,” said the second stone. “We cannot see them.

We never will.”

The two stones sat on the side of the hill.

They felt sad for one hundred years.

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One day a mouse walked by.

“Mouse, can you tell us what is on the other side of the hill?” asked the stones.

The mouse climbed up the hill.

He put his nose over the top and looked down.

He came back and said, “I can see earth and stones.

I can see grass and flowers.

It is a wonderful sight.”

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The first stone said, “The bird told us a lie.

That side of the hill looks just the same as this side of the hill.”

“Oh good!” said the second stone.

“We feel happy now.

We always will.”

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THE CRICKETS

One night a mouse woke up.

There was a chirping sound outside her window.

“What is that noise?” asked the mouse.

“What did you say?” asked a cricket.

“I cannot hear you and make my music at the same time.”

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“I want to sleep,” said the mouse.

“I do not want any more music.”

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“What did you say?” asked the cricket.

“You want more music? I will find a friend.”

Soon there were two crickets chirping.

“I want you to stop the music,” said the mouse.

“You are giving me more!”

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“What did you say?” asked the cricket.

“You want more music? We will find another friend.”

Soon there were three crickets chirping.

“You must stop the music,” said the mouse.

“I am tired.

I cannot take much more!”

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“What did you say?” asked the cricket.

“You want much more music? We will find many friends.”