03-MY NAME IS STILTON

MY NAME IS STILTON... At last, I was ready to head off to the office. Oops! I just remembered. I forgot to introduce myself. I guess I've got too much Christmas on the brain. Anyway, my name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton. I'm a publisher and a writer. I run a newspaper called The Rodent's Gazette. It is the most popular paper on Mouse Island, But maybe you already know me. I don't want to boast, but here in New Mouse City I'm fairly well known. Lots of mice have read my funny tales of adventure. Let's see, where was I? Oh, yes, I was on my way to the office. Even though I was dressed warmly, I was

still cold. I had mouse bumps everywhere. I wrapped my scarf around my whiskers to keep them from freezing. Still, I wasn't going to let the weather get me down. I love the holiday season. I smiled under my scarf. New Mouse City looked so beautiful under a blanket of snow. The tall buildings sparkled with Shiny icicles. And the roads were covered with a fluffy white powder. Rodents of every size, shape, and color rushed here and there. Many carried packages— gifts for their loved ones. I spotted a rodent dressed as Santa Mouse in front of a department store. He was ringing a golden bell. "Merry Christmas to all!" he squeaked to the rodents passing by.

On one street corner stood a group of young mice. They were singing Christmas carols. I wanted to join in, but I didn't. My sister, Thea, tells me I have a terrible singing voice. I think I sound great. But just in case, I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to spoil the moment. Next, I passed by one of New Mouse City's best gourmet cheese shops, Better Cheddar and Beyond. I sniffed the air. It smelled heavenly. I peeked inside. Beautifully arranged were all of those yummy cheeses— warm Orange American, holey Swiss, milky white mozzarella. "You do not need any of those cheeses. Remember, you're on a diet," a little voice inside my head squeaked. I nodded. But before I could leave, I heard another little voice. "It's Christmas, Geronimo," this one

said. "Go ahead and treat yourself!" Two seconds later, I was inside the store, drooling over two giant GIFT- WRAPPED BASKETS of cheese. "I'll take them both," I told the shopkeeper. "Please deliver them to 8 Mouseford Lane." I left before any of the voices could return to yell at me. As I walked past the toy shop, I noticed an

enormouse stuffed cat in the window. Benjamin would love it, I thought. I decided it would be OK to buy another present for him. After all, he is my favorite nephew. The cat was so big, I had it delivered to my mouse hole. Now I'd have two fabumouse surprises coming in the mail —the cheese and Benjamin's present. Yes, this was going to be one extra-special Christmas!