Jeromey Mouse quickly got up and out of bed. He was planning a trip to grandpa's house.
"This is going to be a long trip, for such a little mouse like me," he said as he packed his clothes.
Mom was in the kitchen fixing Jeromey,his basket of goodies to take along the way. Jeromey was not afraid to go on this long trip. He had been told many stories, about the mean ole cat that lived by the big oak tree, next to Mr. Lee's house.
But he was not afraid, no not at all.
He took his bag of clothes and went into the kitchen.
"Good morning, son. I bet your all excited about your trip to Grandpa's today,"
" I Sure am mom!what's for breakfast?"
"I made you pancakes and sausages, your favorite meal." mom said
Jeromey ate his food then got up to go.He was eager to get to Grampa's house.
"Here is your basket of goodies, son and tell Grandpa hello for me. Oh, and watch out for cats along the way."
"Mom, I'm nearly twelve. I can take care of myself now."
Jeromey kissed mom bye then started on his way. Down the little lane he went.
His big ears flopped along the way.
"I'm not afraid.....I’m not afraid.......," he said slowly as he walked past a huge tree.
"Whoo...whoo..." went the owl up in the tree. Jeromey hid behind a big rock.
"I'm not afraid...I'm not afraid..." he whispered to himself.
When the whoot owl had stopped, Jeromey scampered out from behind the rock. He ran as fast as his little feet could run.
"I'm not afraid, " he said again as he wandered on down the little country lane.
"Sniff...sniff..."went his nose, as he could smell something very sweet in the air. He followed his nose to a large hole,inside a tree.
He stuck his nose inside. The smell was stronger and sweeter.He just had to have a taste of whatever it was. In went his hand, and out it came covered in rich sweet honey. Just when Jeromey was about to take a bite, a swarm of bees came out of the hole.
"Oh , my whiskers!" he yelled, as he ran as fast as he could.
"Ouch! ouch! " he cried as the bees stung him. He ran and ran as fast as he could to a creek, where he jumped in to wash off the honey. over his head they swarmed.
Jeromey swam to the other side, puffing all the way.
"Boy,what a nightmare!" he said as he sat hiding under a bush.
"I'd better wait till I'm sure they're gone," he said,as he laid down his tired head. Soon he fell asleep. When he woke up, he didn't know what time it was but It seemed to be late.
Jeromey swam over to the other side of the creek, to get his basket of goodies he'd dropped. He grabbed his bundle of clothes and basket, and started down the lane.
"I'm so hungry," Jeromey said as he stopped by a bush to eat. The sky was blue and a few small clouds appeared. Just as he was about to take a bite, he saw someone coming down the lane.
"Hello there, young fellow! I'm Mr. Turtle, I was just out for my daily stroll...my...my, what happened to your nose ?" he asked.
"Some bees chased me. I thought I was a goner !"
"You dipped into their hive, young man, couldn't resist the sweet smell of honey, could you?"
"I guess not .Jeromey replied as he rubbed his sore nose.
"I'm Jeromey. I was on my way to Grandpa's house when I was attacked. Gave me an appetite, it did."
" You don't say..." Mr. Turtle stretched out his neck and peered into the little basket of goodies.
"Someone is a good cook,"he said as he smelled the hot buns and jam.
"I don't suppose you could give me a bite, could you?"
Jeromey handed Mr.Turtle a bun with jam. He ate it right up.
"Well,I thank you very much,Jeromey.Do stay out of the honey.
And you better get to where your going as it's going to rain any time now. "
Jeromey looked up at the sky.
"I don't see any rain coming. How do you know it's going to rain?" he asked.
"We Turtle's always know when it's going to rain. "
Mr. Turtle got up and said his goodbyes. Down the road he went. Jeromey gathered his things and started on his way. Jeromey suddenly froze in his tracks.
"Oh, my whiskers!"
Just ahead of him laid the cat, sprawled out across the lane. The cat was cleaning his paws.
"Hello, little mouse. he said , as he turned his head to show off his long sharp teeth.
Jeromey stood there not knowing what to do. He would surely be a cat's feast if he didn't get away.
"And where do you think your going ?" he asked.
"I...I ...was going to visit my grandfather who lives nearby.
Are you going to eat me?" Jeromey asked.
" Well, now that you mentioned it ..." his pink tongue darted across his teeth.
"Wait! If you must eat me ...then let me finish what is in my basket.
It will make me fat and good to eat!" Jeromey said.
The cat crouched down low. He thought about it. "Well, hurry up ...and do it mouse,I don't have all day!"
"I sure hope Mr.Turtle was right...he thought," as he began to eat.
Just then there was a flash of light followed by a loud thunder .
This upset the cat something awful, as he almost stepped on Jeromey as he tried to get away.
Jeromey remembered that cats hated water as much as they love to eat mice. He ran all the way
to grandpa's house.
Jeromey was brave, but he knew that anyone could have a scary day. He wasn't afraid...He wasn't afraid.
end
janiceenglecopyright1982
Alisha is shocked when she learns her seizures can send her back through time. With the meddling of Selene, Goddess of the Moon, and Iris, Messenger Goddess, she finds herself transported to ancient Sparta, where Helen is desperately trying to escape
