11-TRAP'S SPICY BEAN BONANZA

TRAP'S SPICY BEAN BONANZA I was feeling awful. My stomach was doing flip-flops every time THE BOAT ROCKED. My snout was burned from the SCORCHING SUN. And a swarm of Hungry Mosquitoes had decided to make camp under my fur. Oh, why had I agreed to come on this torturous trip? Right then, my aunt Sweetfur appeared by my side. "Are you having fun, dear?" she asked me. I nodded. What else could

I say? No, I'd rather stick needles in my eyes? I'd rather pull out all of my fur? I'd rather run naked through the streets of Cat Cove City? Of course, the others were having a blast. Tiny was playing his guitar and screeching away. "Rodents, keep your loved ones near. Once pirate cats roamed around here. They clanged their swords and searched for treasure— Their evil ways you could not measure. So watch your tails, these cats are real, They're waiting to make YOU into a meal!" I shivered. Why did Tiny have to sing such scary songs? They were always about pirates or skeletons or ghosts. I preferred the oldie-but-cheesy tunes myself. "How

about a little cheddar boogie?" I suggested. As usual, no one was listening to me. My cousin had jumped onto a long bench. He was kicking up his paws dancing to the music. "OLE!" he shouted, clasping a fork between his teeth. Then he pulled my aunt onto the bench. "How wonderful!" she squealed as Trap TWIRLED her around. When he was done he took a bow. Everyone clapped and cheered. What skill! What talent! What a show- off!

"Are you taking notes for your book, Geronimo?" Trap smirked. I rolled my eyes. If it were up to my cousin, he would be the main character in all of my books. Two minutes later, Trap disappeared into the galley. He returned carrying a plate of beans covered with melted cheese. He offered my aunt Sweetfur a taste. What do you think of my latest masterpiece, Auntie? I call it Trap's Spicy Bean Bonanza," he said. Aunt Sweetfur nibbled a tiny spoonful. "Yum!" she declared, reaching for more. Just then, I heard a low growling sound. Was it a mouse-eating shark? Was it a slimy sea monster? Was this how it would all end? Then I realized it was my tummy. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I was dying to

dig my paws into Trap's bean dish, but I was worried. You see, SPICY food doesn't always agree with me. Still, Aunt Sweetfur seemed fine. I grabbed a spoon, If it's safe enough for a little-old-lady mouse, it's safe enough for me, I told myself. I took a tiny taste. I didn't feel a thing. And I mean NOT ONE THING. I couldn't even feel my tongue in my mouth. CHEESE NIBLETS! Trap's spicy beans had killed my taste buds! And then, suddenly, I felt as if my whole mouth was about to EXPLODE. My glasses fogged up. Steam poured out of my ears. I tried to squeak, but no sound came out. I grabbed the nearest jug of water and poured it down my throat.

"This spicy sauce is simply delicious, isn't it, Geronimo?" Aunt Sweetfur squealed happily. One thing you should know about my aunt, she doesn't notice much. Once, I got my tail stuck in a bottle of ketchup. I had to wear the bottle around for a week before my uncle Handypaws was able to get it off. Aunt Sweetfur never said a word. "Ahem, yes, Auntie, it's delicious," I choked out, fanning my tongue. AAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH!