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Survival Courses:
Not for the Weak of Heart
by
Thea Stilton, Special Correspondent to The Rodent's Gazette
Have you
ever had a family member or friend who became so afraid that
he wouldn't even leave his mouse hole? That's the situation
I recently found myself in. A close relative of mine, Gary
Rat,* became so paranoid that he wouldn't even answer his
door! That's when I realized I had to take matters into my
own paws.
Who
to Turn To
My first thought was to bring Geronimo — I mean Gary
— to a psychiatrist. A friend recommended Dr. Shrinkfur,
one of New Mouse City's most well-known doctors. But sometimes
psychology alone is not enough. Fortunately, I heard about
the famous survivalist Penelope Poisonfur. Ms. Poisonfur runs
a survival school called "To the Last Whisker."
It's especially designed for 'fraidy mice like Geronimo —
that is, Gary.
Basic Training
Ms. Poisonfur's course forces mice to deal with their fears
by confronting them snout-on. Every week she leads four scaredy
mice into Rattytrap Jungle, where they are forced to run twenty
miles a day while carrying enormous packs on their backs.
For food, the mice dine on ant soup. Other techniques include
swinging on tree vines over raging rivers to cure one's fear
of heights, and twirling snakes above one's snout to cure
one's fear of snakes.
"You've
got to show these mice who's boss!" declared Ms. Poisonfur.
"Geronimo Stilton was a sniveling wreck when he began
our course. He was a disgrace to all of mousekind! But now…
well, at least he's not afraid to leave his mouse hole anymore."
As for
Geronimo — I mean, Gary Rat — he had this to say:
"Well, I'm no longer afraid of flying, the dark, spiders,
or snakes. But I am still afraid of cats… and Ms. Poisonfur!"
*Some names have been changed to protect the cowardly.
The Mouse Scoop
with Sweetie Cheesetriangle
New
Mouse City's hottest source for gossip
Dear Readers,
It's been
quite a week for this rodent reporter! New Mouse City's rateratti
have been busy as a cat with a ball of yarn. Here's just a
few of the hottest headlines from this week in New Mouse City….
- Who
was that caught canoodling at the opening of The Mousetrix
Revolutions? Why, could it be on-again, off-again couple
Batiffer — also known as Rattifer Lopez and
Ben Ratteck? Hmm, is that the chime of wedding bells I hear….?
- Big
Mice on Campus? Adorable twins Mary-Rat and Moushley
Olsen have just announced that they'll be enrolling
at New Mouse University as freshmice next year. Says Mary-Rat,
"I can't wait to live in a real-life college dorm.
Of course, Moushley and I will be roommates. It just wouldn't
be the same without my twin sis."
- Rodent's
Gazette special correspondent Thea Stilton was
spotted at the Ratropolitan Museum of Art, paw-in-paw with
her latest sweetie, Maximilian von Mousefur. Could
it be true love at last for Thea, one of New Mouse City's
most eligible bachelorettes? We hope so!
- From
Cheap Junk for Less to Rats Fifth Avenue?
Rumor has it that the notorious mouse mogul Trap Stilton
has his eye on the famous retailer, currently owned by Mousald
Trump. Better watch your tail, Mousald!
That's
it for this week, dear readers! But be sure to tune in next
week for the latest on Ratstin Timberlake and Mouseron
Diaz.
Yours
in cheese,
Sweetie
©
EDIZIONI PIEMME – ITALY
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