13-I'M A POLITE MOUSE

I'M A POLITE MOUSE Benjamin and I scampered up the stairs to my office. I turned on the computer. Benjamin organized his notes. Then I began to write FURIOUSLY. Time was running out. I had to finish the book by tonight. Five minutes later, Thea PHONED. She wanted to find out if I was done writing. I wanted to squeak. I wanted to scream. I

wanted to exclaim at the top of my lungs, "I'M A MOUSE, NOT A MACHINE!" But I held myself back. After all, I'm a polite mouse. Ten minutes later, Trap PHONED. He told me we should put his photograph in the book. I wanted to squeak. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him that no one would want to buy a book with his rotten picture in it. But I held myself back. After all, I'm a considerate mouse. Fifteen minutes later, Creepella PHONED. At first, I couldn't understand a word she said. Then I realized she wasn't talking. She was blowing kisses at me. I wanted to squeak. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell her that she was the creepiest mouse I

had ever met. But I didn't. After all, I'm a sensitive mouse. Twenty minutes later, Tina PHONED, followed by Pinky Pick. I wanted to squeak. I wanted scream. I wanted to tell them I didn't have time for their ridiculous problems. But I held back. After all, I'm a responsible mouse. Thirty minutes later, Thea PHONED again. She asked me once more if I had finished. This time, even though I am a polite, considerate, sensitive, responsible mouse, I couldn't hold back. I told her exactly what I was thinking. She was so offended, she hung up on me!

Benjamin and I unplugged the phone. At last, we could work in peace. We worked and worked and worked until.... I typed the last sentence. At that very moment, Thea stormed into my office. "That's it!" she declared. "Time is up!" Benjamin jumped up and down. "Uncle, you are the greatest!" he announced. I laughed. I didn't believe I could write a book in such a hurry. But I did it. Yes, I, Geronimo Stilton had written a whole book in one day!