MOUSE JOINS BEAVER TRIBE

By Toni Tinypaw

FOSSIL FOREST All the beavers of Mouse Island have gathered together this week for their annual powwow. There have been tree-chewing, dam-building, and underwater swimming contests, as well as dances, drumming, songfests, speeches, and twig-munching feasts. But the highlight for eleven-year-old Marty Mousefield of Cheddarton was the ceremony that made him an honorary beaver.

Last week, Marty was on a hike with his Mouse Scout troop when he heard splashing and frightened cries from a nearby lake. When he got to the shore, he could see a baby beaver struggling in deep water. With true Mouse Scout courage and skill (he has a merit badge in lifesaving), Marty dove right in and rescued the helpless little rodent.

He soon learned that he had saved the son of Nil-Chi-Tso (Big Wind) chief of the local tribe, and as a reward, was invited to the powwow to be honored as a hero.

The ceremony was held today. True to his name, Nil-Chi-Tso gave a very long speech, and then presented Marty with a special headdress of eagle feathers and a magnificent, rainbow-hued wampum necklace. Finally, painting Marty's face with war paint, he proclaimed him a brother to all beavers, and gave him the new name of Na-As-Tso-Si-Lo, Mouse-Who-Swims-Like-a-Fish.

Marty thanked the chief for the gifts, and thanked all the beavers for their kindness and hospitality. He complimented them on their dancing, drumming, and singing, and the delicious twigs they had shared with him at their feast. Luckily, no one noticed he had his toes crossed during the twig part.

OPERA SINGER LOSES VOICE

But Young Mice Find Opportunity
By Teddy von Muffler

NEW MOUSE CITYDisaster struck at the Mousetropolitan Opera House last night. World-famous tenor Luigi Pavaratty was unable to perform the role of Formaggio in Ricotta's opera Un Ballo in Mozzarella (The Big Ball of Cheese.)

Just minutes before the opera was to begin, the house manager came through the curtains to announce that Signor Pavaratty was vocally indisposed. (This is the opera singer's way of saying he's lost his voice, or maybe The dog ate my sheet music.)

Naturally, many of the rodents in the audience were furious. They began to shout, stamp, and throw things at the poor manager, who quickly retreated. Things were starting to get out of hand, when a group of young mice from George Mousington Elementary School, who were on a class trip to the opera, stepped up on the stage.

They were greeted at first with laughter, but when the youngsters borrowed some instruments from the orchestra pit and began to play the Mouse Island National Anthem, the audience rose and stood in respectful silence. When they had finished, everyone applauded.

Then, in an inspired move, their teacher, Mrs. Emmenthaler, came on stage and announced in her stern voice, I'm as sorry as you are that Signor Pavaratty won't sing tonight, but if you behave yourselves, anyone who would like to stay can hear my students perform their rock opera, Cheese!

And that's how Cheese! came to the Mousetropolitan Opera. Nobody left. When it was over there were cries of Bravo! Bravissimo! amidst thunderous applause. The George Mousington students took seventeen curtain calls, and a wonderful time was had by all.

© EDIZIONI PIEMME – ITALY