15-A STRNGE SMELL OF BURNING

A STRANGE SMELL OF BURNING It was already DARK. We walked Nibblette home. Then we headed back to my mouse hole. What a terrible Christmas Eve. First the Ratbury truck ACCIDENT, then the old mouse crossing the street, then that rotten bully kicking me in the shins. Things- couldn't get any worse. I was glad I had everything set for the party. I couldn't do much decorating with one paw in a cast. "I can't wait for your PARTY, Uncle Geronimo," Benjamin squeaked. "It's going to be so much fun!" I smiled. Yes, it was going to be fun. I told Benjamin about my beautiful tree, my

CHRISTMAS GIFTS for the guests, and my refrigerator stocked with cheese. I must say, I had outdone myself this year. It was going to be an absolutely perfect party. We turned onto my block, MOUSEFORD LANE. At that moment, I was hit by a strange smell. What was it? It smelled like something burning. What a stench. It smelled worse than the time my uncle Hotpaw burned those ratburgers on his grill. Suddenly, three fire trucks raced by. Their wailing sirens filled the night.