12-I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU, UNCLE GERONIMO!

I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU, UNCLE GERONIMO! By the time I got back to the office, it was four o'clock. I slumped into my chair. I was exhausted. I promised myself I wouldn't stay long. I was drained. I needed to go home. What a terrible Christmas Eve! I sighed and told mousella I was leaving. At least I had everything ready for my dinner party. I thought about the decorations in my living room. I thought about my beautiful fir tree trimmed with cheese ornaments. I thought about the yummy food in my refrigerator. I thought about all of the presents I had wrapped for my friends.

Benjamin met me in the lobby. "Uncle Geronimo!" he squeaked, worried. "I heard you had an ACCIDENT. Are you OK?" I smiled. It wasn't easy. Have you ever tried to smile when your whiskers are WRAPPED IN PLASTER? "My dear nephew, I'm fine," I told Benjamin. "No need to worry." We left together, heading toward home. As we walked, Benjamin chatted away. "Uncle Geronimo, you were so nice to help that Ratbury truck driver. And you were so brave to save that old mouse," he squeaked. "When I grow up, I want to be Just like you!" I ruffled Benjamin's fur with my good paw. I loved that little mouse so much! I was proud that he wanted to be like me. I felt like a REAL HERO. No, I didn't have

whiskers of steel. I didn't even have big mouscles. Still, I was so happy, I felt like I- could carry ten mice on my shoulders. Benjamin squeaked on about his school and his friends. Then, suddenly, he grew SERIOUS. He put his paw in his pocket and pulled out a wrapped present, "This is for you, Uncle. It's for Christmas," he said. "But you can open it now." I tore open the paper. Inside lay a small clay heart that was painted red. Scratched in the center were Benjamin's initials, B.S. "It's a paperweight, Uncle Geronimo. For your desk," he explained. "That way my heart will always be close to you, even when we're apart!" I was so touched. I had to wipe away a TEAR. Isn't my nephew the sweetest mouse on earth?