15-BASTET, THE CAT GODDESS

BASTET, THE CAT GODDESS I crawled along the floor. I wanted to get back to the tunnel entrance, but I wasn't sure which way to go. My fur stood on end. My paws shook. Even my tail twitched with fear. "Professor! Professor Spitfur!" I squeaked again, this time in a total panic. But there was only silence. A SPOOKY, TOMBLIKE SILENCE! Now I was shaking. I felt like a mouse who gets kicked out of his hole in the middle of winter. I needed a pep talk. Unfortunately, I seemed to be the only one around to give it. You're going to be fine! There's absolutely nothing to worry about! I told myself.

It didn't work. Seconds later, I was bawling my eyes out. "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!" I cried. My words echoed in the dark. Finally, I remembered the key ring in my pocket. On it was a small flashlight. I switched it on. The light gave me courage. It lit up the wall in front of me. I jumped. A jackal-headed monster moved toward me, ready to pounce! "Slimy Swiss balls!!" I shrieked in terror. But then, I bent to get a better look. It wasn't a real monster. It was a painting. I recognized a drawing of the jackal- headed ANUBIS. On his right stood OSIRIS,

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god of the underworld, and his wife, ISIS. There was also a drawing of their son, HORUS, god of the sky and of light, whose head is that of a falcon. But what was that animal at the bottom? I stepped closer to the wall to get a better look. Yikes! I was looking directly into the face of BASTET, the cat-headed goddess. nkledc. moldy mozzarella! CATS SCARE ME OUT OF MY WITS!!!

I wanted to race out of that pyramid as fast as my paws would take me, but I had to be brave and find the professor. If I didn't, he'd wind up a mummy mouse! I looked at the painting again. There were many more pictures—of pharaohs and priests, soldiers and scribes, farmers and artisans. And they were all more than five thousand years old! It was truly amazing. Of course, I would've enjoyed the artwork much more if my tail hadn't been trembling with terror. HOW WOULD I EVER GET OUT OF THIS TOMB?