22-DAY 7：SUNDAY

DAY 7: SUNDAY Saturday night, we marched nonstop. On Sunday morning, we reached our FIRST CAMP. We had only been gone for one week. Still, it felt like a lifetime. I had learned so much! Yes, I had to admit, the course in the jungle had changed my life.

After our final bug breakfast, we said our good-byes. I was sad to see my new friends go. We had been through so much together. Tubby hugged me. "Thank you, Geronimo," he said. "If it weren't for you, I'd be at the bottom of a river!"

Suzie Squeakers winked at me. "It was great to meet you, Boss! Pinky would be proud of you!" she grinned. Burt Burlyrat crushed my paw in his strong grip. And Sandy Silverfur gave me a photo of me whirling the snake. "So you won't forget this course," she chuckled. I grinned. I knew I would never forget my adventures in the jungle. Or the friends I had made. I invited them all to New Mouse City. Finally, it was Penelope's turn. "I've fixed

you, haven't I, Stilton?" she smirked. I shook her paw. I wasn't about to argue. Penelope had cured me. I felt like a new mouse. I wasn't afraid of anything anymore. I could swim in wild rivers. I could climb trees as tall as skyscrapers. I could even eat bug sandwiches. Of course, I didn't have to like them. From now on, I'd be sticking to my favorite kind of sandwiches. The ones with cheese! Like grilled cheese on rye, ham and cheese on a hard roll, and cream cheese and jelly on whole wheat. I turned around to leave, then shouted, "THANK YOU, MS. POISONFUR!"

Penelope waved. "You can call me P.P.," she giggled. She really was one special mouse. Maybe someday I could take her out to dinner after all. As long as she didn't order any bugs. Or make me take her mountain climbing course! Suddenly, I was surrounded by my family. Thea, Trap, and Benjamin were a sight for sore eyes. I hadn't realized how much I had missed them. Yes, I know my sister can be bossy at times. And my cousin loves to play pranks on me. But they're still family. Just then, my nephew threw his paws around my neck. "Are you still angry with me, Uncle Geronimo?" Benjamin asked. I stroked his tiny ears and grinned. "Of course not, my little mousey," I sighed. "I love you too much!" Then I hugged Thea and Trap, too.

"You were right, Stiltons," I said. "This course was the best thing for me. I'm cured!" The same yellow jeep took us back to the airport from CAMP Then we boarded a plane to New Mouse City. I couldn't wait to get there. As we were flying home, I thought about everything that had happened to me. I had faced my fears and I had met four great new friends. Five, if you counted Penelope! Yes, this experience had taught me a lot of things. Like it's much easier to overcome a problem if you tackle it together. And a bucketful of icy water is a terrible way to wake up in the morning!