04-BURT AND SQUEAKER'S CHUNKY CHEDDAR

BURT AND SQUEAKER'S CHUNKY CHEDDAR I hung up my coat. I was tired, cold, and hungry. Maybe a yummy bite to eat would pick up my spirits. I headed for the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator. It was filled with my favorite food— cheese! I licked my whiskers. I started off with a double-decker grilled cheese on whole wheat. It was so good, I nibbled it down in four bites. Next, I opened the freezer. I pulled out a tub of Burt and Squeaker's Chunky Cheddar. Have you ever tasted Chunky Cheddar? It's one of my favorite cheese-flavored ice creams.

"YUM, YUM!" I said with a sigh. I put together a delicious-looking sunday made with Chunky Cheddar and three servings of whipped cream. I carried my treat into the living room. But then I realized something was wrong. The light was already turned on. Someone was in my mouse hole! Who could it be? A burglar? A sewer rat? A cat with razor-sharp claws? I shivered. I crept forward on tippy paws. The fireplace was lit. It filled the room with an eerie glow. Just then, I saw a huge shadow on the wall. It grew taller and taller.

I chewed my whiskers to keep from shrieking. The shadow was now ten times my size! Oh, what did it want from me? Maybe if I don't move, it will leave me alone, I thought. I froze on the spot. But I was feeling faint. I didn't know how long I could stay still. All of a sudden, I heard a familiar voice. "Uncle! Uncle Geronimo!" it squeaked. The shadow grew taller I looked down. Then I began to giggle. The giant shadow belonged to my little nephew Benjamin! He ran toward me and gave me a hug. "You left your door open, Uncle," he explained. "I came in to wait for you." Then

he looked at me closely. "Uncle, do you feel OK?" he asked. "You look so pale." I coughed. "Of course, I'm, um, just fine," I told my nephew. Then I smoothed down my fur. I was so SCARED. it had been standing on end. Meanwhile, Benjamin began chattering away happily. He had heard about my sister's idea to write a book on Halloween.

"Can I help you write it?" he pleaded. "We can get some ideas from Uncle Trap's store. It will be so much fun. I love Halloween, Uncle! When can we start?" I sighed. I could never say no to my favorite nephew.