04-TAKE ME WITH YOU!

TAKE ME WITH YOU! On my way home, I stopped by to say hello to my favorite nephew, Benjamin. He's a cute little guy with tiny Flappy ears. "Uncle, read me a story!" he cried when he saw me. So I SAT DOWN in the big, comfy chair in the den. Ben loves stories. When he was younger, he always zonked out before I had a chance to finish my tale. That's why I dedicated my book Stilton's Cheesy Tales for Tiny Mice to him.

"To Ben," I wrote. "May you stay awake long enough to finish this book!" Today I can hardly believe my little nephew is already nine years old! I remember when he was just a squeaky little thing, drinking cheese sauce from a baby bottle! "You're going on a trip?" Ben asked when he heard about my plans. "Oh, please, please, please take me with you, Uncle! I can be your assistant. I can carry your notebooks. And I can sharpen your pencils with my cat-tooth pencil sharpener," he pleaded. "Sorry, Ben," I said, ruffling his fur. "Maybe next time, when you're a little older."

Then I laid my right paw on my HEART and tugged at my whiskers with my left paw. This is a salute that we mice use on special occasions. It means that the HEARTS of two mice who love each other will always stay connected.