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The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid: Fact or Fiction?

by Soya Mousehao

Geronimo Stilton was in for a shock when he arrived at his office early last month. His grandfather, the legendary founder of Rodent's Gazette, had returned. His first order of business was to send Geronimo on an assignment to Egypt to report on the Great Cheese Pyramid. Said Geronimo: "Well, it isn't every day I get to travel to Egypt and cross the desert on a camel, now is it?"

There was no way the trip would be easy — Geronimo's grandfather, also known as "Cheap Mouse Willy," had booked him on Dirt Cheap airlines. Geronimo found himself seated in Class Z, which meant no movies, no Cheesy Chews, and no trips to the rest room. Geronimo's seat didn't even come with a seat belt — although, it did come with a complimentary parachute and life jacket.

After a fur-raising trip, Geronimo landed safely in Egypt, where he hopped onboard his camel and set out to find the Great Cheese Pyramid. There he met Professor Alrat Spitfur, his guide, who told him of the pyramid's famous curse: Anyone who disturbs the sacred sanctity of the pharaoh's tomb will immediately fall victim to a terrible fate.

Geronimo's first instinct was to turn back: "I'll do anything for a story - unless it involves heights, haunted houses, booby traps, or curses. Especially curses."

But it was too late. Before Geronimo could squeak in protest, the professor dragged him into the tomb — where he got the scoop of a lifetime! When he returned to Mouse Island, he filed his story and found a way to save the paper from his grandfather's cheap ways!

How to Survive a Visit to Cannycat Castle

by Ratella Redfur

On a dark and stormy October night, Rodent's Gazette editor Geronimo Stilton found himself stuck in the one place every mouse fears - the middle of Dark Forest. The Dark Forest is a very scary place, even for the bravest mice. "And as most mice know," Mr. Stilton says, "I am a bit of a 'fraidy-mouse."

Geronimo's car broke down in the middle of the forest, and what had begun as a simple trip to visit his favorite aunt quickly turned into a terrifying battle for survival. So when he spotted the tall towers of a castle through the trees, he quickly sought shelter there for the night.

But Geronimo soon discovered that this was no ordinary castle. Flying from the tallest tower was a flag with a picture of a cat's paw on it! The doorbell made a meowing sound, and inside Mr. Stilton found all sorts of unusual items, including a sign mentioning "Bigpaw Cannycat" — not a name you hear every day on Mouse Island.

By this time, Geronimo's fur was standing on end from fright. He smelled a story. He called his sister Thea to help him investigate. With the help of his sister, his cousin Trap, and his nephew Benjamin, Geronimo uncovered one of the most shocking stories to come out of Mouse Island in centuries! He even made it out of the castle with his tail intact. But that, dear reader, is another story….

The Yeti: Too Fond of His Fur?

by Blasco Tabasco

Tales of monsters are never-ending. Who hasn’t heard of the Lochmouse Monster or the Abominable Snowrat? But what about the infamous yeti known as Bigfoot? The idea of anything with a foot bigger than a cat's paw is frightening indeed. Which is why it came as a surprise when Geronimo Stilton said he was going to Mouse Everest to find this creature.

Geronimo explained that, "my good friend, Professor Pierre von Volt, called to ask for my help. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I'd do anything for him. So when he called, I knew I had to face my fears [of heights…and monsters] and do it."

For those of us familiar with Geronimo, we know this was not an easy choice. Heading off to the snowy mountains, inhabited by a possibly dangerous yeti, was definitely very brave decision!

Fortunately, Geronimo didn’t have to go alone. He was joined by his cousin Trap, sister Thea, and nephew Benjamin. “Climbing those mountains was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” said Geronimo. “I would never have made it without my family.”

The trip certainly worked out well for the Stiltons. Not only was Geronimo able to lend a helping hand to his old friend, but he also made a remarkable discovery - the bones of a prehistoric and extinct Woolly Mammoth, buried deep within a block of ice!

Since returning to Mouse Island, the Stiltons have donated the Woolly Mammoth to the Mouse Museum of Natural History.

© EDIZIONI PIEMME – ITALY