08-ANY VOLUNTEERS？

ANY VOLUNTEERS? I started counting the rodents in the crowd. Tent twenty, thirty. Yes, there were at least thirty mice. Plus, the staff of The Rodent's Gazette... I jumped to my paws. It would be MORE THAN ENOUGH! I turned my attention to the crowd. "Who will lend a paw here?" I asked. "This poor rodent is in an awful jam. If we can clean up these chocolates, he can make his delivery to the mayor's mansion." I waited. No one moved a tail. Maybe they needed me to show them how, I thought. I began cleaning off one of the muddy Ratballs. When I was done, I placed it in the truck. I grinned at the crowd.

"So, who wants to volunteer?" I squeaked. Still no one lifted a paw. "I'm too busy," said a mouse, staring at her watch. "Not today. I have presents to buy," chimed in another, rushing away. I couldn't believe it. Where was the Christmas spirit? Where was the feeling of goodwill? Where was my nice warm parka? I had left it back in the office. I was freezing my whiskers off! Just when I thought I would die from the cold, an elderly mouse spoke up. "I will help," he croaked in a feeble voice. "Christmas is not all about presents, you know."

Then he bent over, leaning on his cane. He picked up a Ratbury Ratball. He polished it with his PAWKERCHIEF. Now there were two shiny Ratballs back in the truck. Two down, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight to go. Hmmm. This was going to take a little bit longer than I thought. "Any more volunteers?" I tried again. The crowd looked at one another. After a moment, a biker mouse dressed all in leather picked up a Ratburry Ratball. A mother holding her young mouse by the

paw pitched in. "Come on, Pawsley, you can pick up some chocolates, too," I heard her murmur. "Let's help that poor rat!" Next, a polished-looking business rodent set down his briefcase. Soon, he, too, was picking up chocolates. A mailmouse dropped his bagful of letters. The newspaper mouse on the corner left his stand. A group of schoolmice joined in as their teacher watched. Even the rodents at the squeak & Brew left their coffee and cheese Danish to help out. I ran to my office. I had to round up the staff. "Stop the reading! Stop the writing! Stop the press!" I shouted. "Come give me a paw.

We must polish each Ratbury chocolate until it shines like new!" By now, many curious rodents had stopped by to see what was going on. Once we explained, they began to help. Soon, there were more than a hundred rodents picking up chocolates in front of The Rodent's Gazette. WMICE, a local radio station, sent out the word. Attention. everyone! Lend us your paws. Come to 17 Swiss Cheese Center and help out a poor rat down on his luck. The crowd of mice grew and grew. As they worked, they chatted with one another. I

listened to everyone laughing and joking. It was like a regular party! Now all we needed was a little music. I began to sing one of my favorite Christmas songs, "Santa Mouse Is Coming to Town." Soon, the whole crowd was singing along. Don't you just love the holiday season? It puts everyone in such a good mood. Especially me. I didn't even feel cold anymore. I watched Benjamin shining chocolates with PAWSLEY. I watched my secretary, Mousella, working side by side with the mailmouse. Before I knew it, I was holding the last Ratbury Ratball in my paws. I cleaned it up and gave it to the driver. "Here you are!" I said cheerfully. "This is