Ralph S. Mouse (10 page)

“‘Retraction,' it says here above this picture,” said Matt.

“What's
retraction
?” asked Brad.

“It means they take back something they said,” explained Matt.

“They should,” said Brad.

“Hey, look,” said Ryan. “There's the picture of our class. What else does it say?”

Matt read, “‘The editors of the
Cucaracha Voice
regret a misleading story published in Saturday's edition concerning Miss Heidi Kuckenbacker's class at Irwin J. Sneed Elementary School.'”

Ralph stopped polishing. Maybe the paper would say something about him.

Matt continued. “‘After thorough investigation, Superintendent Clyde R. Crossman has cleared Sneed of charges of mouse infestation. Miss Kuckenbacker's pupils have informed the editor that the mouse exhibited in her classroom was not captured as reported but was instead a pet of Ryan Bramble, a member of the class.'”

Ralph was insulted. He was no one's pet, not Ryan's, not anyone's.

“Hey, Ryan, you got your name in the paper!” Brad was excited for his friend.

“Wait, there's more,” said Matt. “‘Miss Kuckenbacker reports that she and her class learned much from having a mouse in the classroom.'”

How about that! thought Ralph. I guess I taught them a thing or two.

Matt read on. “‘The editors regret any embarrassment caused Room 5 by the misleading article about their activities.'”

“Well, that's better,” said Brad.

“Sounds as if maybe that editor is having a little fun,” remarked Matt.

“No, he isn't.” Ryan was serious.

“We really did write to the paper,” said Brad, “and the superintendent really did investigate mice at our school, sort of.”

“I guess we took care of that editor,” said Ryan. “Come on, Brad, let's go see if the cook will give us something to eat.”

Ralph watched the boys leave before he carefully polished every millimeter of his beautiful new car. Then he pushed his nest together for a nap while waiting for night to come. His day had been exciting, exhausting, and satisfying. Because of him, two boys had become friends. Ralph felt that he had done a good deed in a troubled world.

Ralph awoke much later when the clock began to grind and groan and slowly, as if in pain, strike eleven, the safe hour for mice to appear. Ralph was enjoying a good stretch when he saw five of his relatives peering in at him.

“He's back!” said one.

“And he's got a car,” said another.

“A sports car,” said a third.

Instantly there was clamor and confusion. “Give me a ride!” “Me first!” “Stop shoving!” “I should be first because I'm oldest.” “Get off my foot.”

Instead of getting excited and angry, Ralph stood calmly beside his car and looked at his relatives without speaking. Gradually the mice grew quiet.

“That's better,” said Ralph. “I can't hear anyone if you all speak at once.” The mice were silent, listening, the way Room 5 had grown quiet and listened to Miss K.

“Look, class—I mean, fellows,” said Ralph, “if you get in line, you can take turns. That way you can each have a ride.”

“Good idea,” murmured the mice, who had never before thought of such a thing.

Ralph was pleased with himself for putting his education to use. He climbed into his car and drove it out from under the clock. “My oldest cousin first,” he directed. His relative climbed into the passenger's seat and pulled his tail in after him. “That's the way,” said Ralph with approval. “Now take a deep breath, and we'll both go
vroom
.” Together the cousins vroomed around the lobby, down the long hall and back, faster than Ralph could have driven alone.

“Next,” Ralph said, when he had returned his passenger. “And by the way,” he said to his relatives, as his next cousin in line climbed into the car, “in school human beings learn things by grades. So older human children learn harder things than younger human children.”

The mice caught on at once. “Riding in sports cars is for older mice,” one cousin said. “It's too dangerous for little mice.”

“We won't even tell our little relatives about it,” said another.

“We can't have them messing up the lobby,” said a third.

“We'll keep it a secret,” said a fourth.

“Good thinking,” complimented Ralph. As he and his cousins sped down the hall, Ralph was happy. He felt proud because he had helped Miss K educate her class. But he was humble enough to admit that he had learned from the children too, even though he never did find out where Miss Heidi Kuckenbacker kept her toothpaste. He guessed it really didn't matter.