08-THE VALLEY OF THE CHEESETTES

THE VALLEY OF THE CHEESETTES That night, I slunk home. I dropped into my pawchair in front of the television. I usually don't watch a lot of TV. But I was feeling too sad to do anything else. I set a box of tissues out next to me. I knew I would need them. I just couldn't stop crying. It was like I had sprung a LEAK. Oh, why did I have to fall in love with that mouse? Lost in my own thoughts, I barely heard the doorbell ring. "Who is it?" I mumbled. Why wasn't I allowed to suffer in peace?

Whoever it was didn't give up. I shuffled toward the door and opened it. "Hey, there, big brother!" squeaked Thea. Trap and Benjamin were by her side. "I'm really not up for company," I said with a sigh. I tried to close the door, but my cousin pushed his way inside. "Listen, Cousinkins, we're here to cheer you up!" he declared, grinning. "After all, that is what relatives are for, isn't it?" He marched over to my megahuge fridge. "Got any cheddar balls?" he asked. "The old tummy's rumbling." I jumped to my paws. My cousin had an endless appetite. He would eat me out of house and hole if I didn't stop him. Luckily, Thea beat me to it. "No time for food," she told Trap, yanking him away by the tail. "We're here to cheer up Geronimo.

He looks like he's been eaten by a cat!" She stuck a magazine under my snout. "Read this!" she instructed. World's Eighth Wonder Still a Mystery! the headline declared. The article said an ancient report had been found in New Mouse City's library. The report was written by the famouse explorer Richard Ratingbone. Ratingbone had journeyed to Butterfly Island in search of the legendary VALLEY OF THE CHEESETTES. The valley is said to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. Unfortunately, Ratingbone was not able to find it. Years later, explorers continue to search for the valley's secret entrance. I dropped the paper, shuffled back to my pawchair, and SAT DOWN. "So why are you showing me this?" I asked wearily.

My cousin's grin spread from ear to ear. "Don't you get it, Germeister?" he squeaked. "We'll go in search of this cheesy valley place. Then we'll become RICH and famouse!" I rolled my eyes. "First of all, Trap, it's the VALLEY OF THE CHEESETTES," I said. "And second of all, I'm just not up for a trip right now. I wouldn't be any fun at all." I sighed heavily. Then I stared blankly at the television screen. On it, two mice were holding paws and skipping off into the sunset. The female mouse looked just like the countess. I started crying like a sprinkler on high speed. My family took the hint. Disappointed, they let themselves out.