11-THE TRUNK OF MANY WONDERS

THE TRUNK OF MANY WONDERS I found myself adrift in the ICY sea. I thrashed about for a long time, spitting out salty water. Monster-sized waves kept rolling me around. I felt like I was stuck in the rinse cycle of a GIANT WASHING MACHING. Suddenly, I caught sight of a little gray furry thing. "Benjamin!!!" I cried, grabbing him by his tail. As if by magic, the wind stopped. I looked around. The Lucky Lady had vanished without a trace. We needed something to hold on to. And then I saw it. Well, happy birthday to me (and to

Benjamin, too, of course)! It was my TRUNK! I grabbed it with all my mousely strength. Safe! We were safe! Standing upright on the trunk, I scanned the horizon for Thea and Trap. Not a head or tail in sight. By afternoon, I was beginning to lose hope. But then I spied two very, very small dots in the distance. My heart beat so FAST even my fur stood up to see what all the fuss was about.

"Thea! Trap!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. It was my sister and my cousin, all right! I paddled out to them, paws flying. "Take hold of my tail!" I shouted as I dragged them in. "I really thought it was the end, Cousin!" panted Trap, collapsing onto the TRUNK. Thea wrapped her tail around mine. "Big brother, I'm so glad you're okay!" She sighed. I hugged her tight. Tears rolled down Thea's wet, furry face.

Trap, was crying, too, for different reasons. "The Emerald Eye," he sobbed. "We'll never find it now, without the map!" I glanced at my sister. For some reason, she was grinning. "Did someone say map?" She slipped a paw under her sweater, and out came the crumpled-up map! -CRUNCHY CHEESE CHUNKS!- shouted Trap. He threw his paws in the air like he'd just won tickets to the Supermouse Bowl. nkledc. Hooray!! Hooray! Hooray!

Just then, Benjamin opened his eyes. "How are you doing, my little mousie?" I asked him. "Uncle! Is it you, Uncle Geronimo?" he murmured. "Yes, my dear little Benjamin, it's me," I whispered warmly. "Everything is going to be all right now, you'll see."