07-THE FLYING TOMATO

THE FLYING TOMATO The flight attendant began to serve lunch. I nibbled on a cracker. It tasted like cardboard. Next I tried some blue cheese SOUP. It was SOUR. I cut into the rubbery chicken. It slipped under my knife and landed in my suit pocket. Sauce dribbled down my jacket. Oh, what a horrible flight! First Bratfur. Now the food. My tummy grumbled in protest. CHEESE NIBLETS. I was hungry! I jabbed my fork into a small tomato on my plate. It SHOT away like a rocket, hitting the rodent across the aisle.

He glared at me. I gulped. He was one big mouse. I'm not talking just an extra-large. He was an extra-mega-gigundo-large. Lucky for me, right then they switched off the lights. The movie started. Everyone stared at the screen. It was a nail-biting THRILLER. I was glad I had already seen it. I don't like SCARY MOVIES. I have to watch them with all of the lights on. Plus, I like to hug my Cheesy the Rat doll at the really scary parts. But don't tell my family. They'd never stop picking on me if they knew I still had Cheesy. I decided to take a nap. I was so exhausted. I was half asleep when Bratfur began asking me questions about the movie. "Why is that mouse making so many cheddar cupcakes? he whined. "Is he going to a birthday party? Is he a chef?" "No, he's not a chef," I answered,

absentmindedly. "The cupcakes are filled with poison. He's THE MURDERER." Bratfur let out a shriek. He jumped to his paws. "Listen up, everybody!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. "Those are poison cupcakes. That mouse is the murderer! The cheesebrain sitting beside me just told me!" All of the passengers gave me nasty looks. I cringed. Those poison cupcakes were starting to look pretty good. Suddenly, the plane began to shake. "All rodents kindly fasten your seat belts!" announced the captain. The elderly lady next to me looked worried. "There's nothing to worry about, madam," I assured her. "It's just a little turbulence. It will all be over soon."

She smiled and relaxed. But ten minutes later, the plane was still rocking. I began to turn green. ONE MINUTE WE WERE UP, THE NEXT WE WERE DOWN. Did I mention I have a weak stomach? Meanwhile, the elderly lady next to me didn't seem to notice. She began chatting away. "I can't wait to get to San Shabby Fur Island. I hear they have the best octopus- and-garlic soup," she squeaked

happily. "Then again, I think they're known for their oily sardine pizzas." By now, my stomach was gurgling up a storm. I felt so sick, I could hardly breathe. Please don't mention food again, I wanted to squeak. But the old lady kept rattling on and on. Oh, why was she so OBSESSED with food? Didn't they feed her down at the Creaky Mouse Nursing Home?

My stomach couldn't take it anymore. I groped for the airsickness bag in front of me. But it was missing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bratfur turning it into a paper airplane. I wanted to STRANGLE him, but I didn't have any strength left. "Who can lend me a bag? A bag! I'm going to throw up!" I shrieked at the top of my voice. Everyone stared at me in shock. How embarrassing. The flight attendant came running. But unfortunately, it was too late. When we reached San Shabby Fur, everyone dashed off the plane. I could tell they wanted to get away from me. I did, too. I was a stinky mess!