12-DOUBLE-CHEESE LASAGNA

DOUBLE-CHEESE LASAGNA Sylvester slipped the leaf into his pocket. I could tell he was one happy rodent. I chewed my whiskers. I'd be happy, too, if I could find my way back to the camper. And what about Ratzikistan? Maybe Sylvester knew how to get there. "Ratzikistan!" he exclaimed when I asked. "You're in the middle of the Fossil Forest. Ratzikistan is in the OPPOSITE direction." Cheese niblets! I knew Grandfather had been driving the wrong way. I groaned. "Don't worry," said Sylvester. "I can tell you how to get back to your camper. Then I'll give you directions to Ratzikistan."

It took him half an hour to explain everything. There was a lot to remember. I thought about writing everything down on some leaves. But I didn't want to rip up ten bushes. I love nature too much. Sylvester shook my paw and said good- bye. "Have a safe trip!" he called, heading off. I started down the path. As I walked, I mumbled the directions. "Let's see, I take the path for ten minutes until I reach the BEACH TREE," I began. "Or was it an OAK TREE? Then I turn right two or three times and cross the brook. At the brook, I head upstream, or maybe downstream. Then I come to a boulder shaped like a cat's head. Or was it a rat's head? Then I cross a small bridge and turn LEFT, then right.

No, maybe it was RIGHT, then LEFT..." I tramped through the woods for more than an hour. RATS! I was lost again. Oh, why didn't I write those directions down? So what if I destroyed a few bushes? So what if there were fewer leaves in the world? Was that such a crime? I sat down on a rock. Tears sprang to my eyes. "How did I get myself into such a mess?" I sobbed. "It's late and I'm hungry. I should be home in my cozy mouse hole. I should be nibbling on a triple- decker grilled-cheese-and-tomato SANDWICH right now." Just then, I sniffed the air. Was I dreaming? Did I really SMELL CHEESE? I sniffed again. Yes, I was sure of it. It was the scent of a double-cheese lasagna! I pulled myself together and got back on

the path. I followed the heavenly scent. Before long, I spotted the twinkling lights of the camper. I squeaked with joy, home at last! I couldn't wait to tell my family about my adventures. They would be so happy to see me. They must have been worried sick when I didn't RETURN. Inside, I found them all seated at the table. Thea glanced up. "Oh, it's just Geronimo." "Who?" asked Grandfather. "Geronimo!" Thea repeated. Grandfather William shoved more lasagna into his mouth. "Oh, did he go out?" he muttered. I sank onto the sofa. I told them how I got lost. Then I explained about the lasagna. "I

followed the scent back to the camper," I said. Tina smiled. She was very proud of her cooking. Especially her double-cheese lasagna. "Speaking of lasagna," I continued. "Can you cut me a piece?" Now Tina was practically glowing. "Nope, it's all gone!" she announced triumphantly. She held up the empty pan. "Your grandfather even licked the pan clean. So much for his diet," she added. My stomach RUMBLED in protest. I couldn't believe my family hadn't saved a single piece of Tina's delicious lasagna for me! I was starving after my midnight ramble through the forest. Oh, why had I come on this miserable trip?