14-A CAST-IRON STOMACH

A CAST-IRON STOMACH We climbed back into the camper. Tina put away the food. Soon Grandfather revved up the engine and we were off again. I stared out the window as we drove along. Icy streams flowed down from the tops of gigantic glaciers. Snowcapped mountains dotted the landscape. Thea snapped away with her camera. "This place is like a winter wonderland," she remarked. We drove on into the night. The road grew steeper. we crossed over a narrow bridge. We climbed along a rugged gorge. Patches of ice covered the road. I broke out in A COLD SWEAT. One slip and we'd all

be goners. We'd be nothing but a camper full of CAT FOOD. I felt faint. Oh, why had I come to Ratzikistan? It was one big mountain mess. And I was afraid of heights! At last, we reached a clearing. It overlooked all of the valleys below. Grandfather pulled over. He jumped out of the camper, clapping his paws. "Now, this is what I call good clean air!" he squeaked, taking a deep breath. "Someone write this down. We need to tell tourists to stop at this very spot. The view is more breathtaking than the inside of the Cheesy Chews factory!" My sister began typing away on her laptop. She had been taking notes the whole trip to put in our guidebook to Ratzikistan. "What would I do without my darling granddaughter?" Granddad William beamed. Then he scowled in my direction.

"It's a shame you're not more like your sister, Geronimo," he added. "It's a wonder you two are related!" I decided to take a walk. My tail was flat from sitting in the camper for so long. Plus, I needed to stretch my paws a little. Get the old blood pumping. Get away from Granddad. I took a few steps, but I didn't get far. Seconds later, Tina's whistle practically pierced my eardrums. She uses it to signal that dinner is ready. "Come on, shake a paw!" she called. "You don't want your food to get cold!" We sat down at the table. Tina was busy dishing up the meal. She placed one OLIVE and a piece of lettuce on Grandfather William's plate. Recently, she had decided

he needed to go back on his diet. Granddad stared at his plate and sighed. "No complaining," Tina scolded. "You need to drop those pounds or we'll have to roll you home!" Then she turned her attention to me. Uh- oh. Tina had other plans for me Recently, she had decided that I was too thin. She began piling my plate high with food. I watched in horror as she filled an enormouse bowl to the brim with spaghetti. Then she slapped down plate after plate of pies, casseroles, puddings, breads, and more. There was no way I could eat all of that food. It was enough for ten mice, not one!

I felt sick. "Um, but, Tina," I began. "I have a weak stomach. I don't think "NONSENSE!" Tina interrupted me. "I'll fix that stomach of yours. You just need to fill it with a ton of food. Soon you'll be able to eat stones!" I CRINGED. But I didn't tell Tina I wasn't interested in eating stones. I didn't want her to hit the roof.

Meanwhile, Grandfather was eyeing my food with envy. He tried to steal a roll, but Tina slapped his paw away. "I'm doing this for your own good!" she told Granddad. "As for you, Mr. Geronimo, you need to try harder!" I opened my mouth to complain. Bad idea. Tina picked up a spoon and STUFFED my mouth full of lard. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" she chuckled. I couldn't answer. Have you ever tasted lard? Think glue, only ten times worse!