Crisis in Crittertown Read Online Free PDF

out.
    Grayson explained, “We’ve only understood people for a few weeks.”
    General History leaped up. “I told you! Our colony was first!”

    Nonfiction waved his paw, and General History sat down again. “Probably not first in the world. But sooner than many others.” He added, “It fits with my theory.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Nilla asked. “Why now? How is it possible? What does it mean?”
    â€œExcellent questions, my dear,” Nonfiction said. Then he explained, “I believe The Change has something to do with human communication devices, like telephones, computers, and televisions. What does your leader think?”
    Grayson said, “Brownback wants to gather more facts first.”
    Nonfiction smiled. “He’s a mouse after my own heart.”
    Nilla whispered, “Huh?”
    I shrugged. “Why would Brownback be ‘after’ Nonfiction’s heart?”
    Poetry said, “That expression means Grandpa thinks he and Brownback are alike.”
    She looked even prettier up close. I wanted to say something. But Grayson spoke up first. “What’s poetry?”
    Her laughter was musical. “I guess you wouldn’t see poems at the post office. Poetry is a special kind of writing. Sometimes it rhymes. Often, poetry has language that paints pictures in your mind and makes you feel strong emotions.”
    â€œLike the words to a song?” I asked.
    Poetry smiled. “Song lyrics are poems set to music.”
    I blurted out, “I like the music on Mike’s radio! Mike’s the postmaster.”
    A scruffy mouse declared, “Music’s the best thing people do!”
    General History scoffed. “You would think so. But it’s just fancy noise.”
    â€œ All subjects are important,” Nonfiction declared. Then he turned to Grayson. “Our guests must be interested in certain subjects.”
    Grayson nodded. “We want to learn about Crittertown.”
    Local History looked even older than Nonfiction. He began in a slow, dry voice, “Crittertown…was…founded in…the year…1791…by…”
    Grayson interrupted. “Um…I was thinking more about the places in town.”
    Nilla and I knew he was trying hard not to say “places that could support a soon-to-be-homeless colony.” I struggled to recall a name from the greeting line of mice. It was a subject I thought might help us. “Not Local History, more…”
    General History prompted, “Geography?”
    Nilla sighed. “Gee-what-a-free?”
    White-muzzled Dictionaries defined geography, but that only confused Nilla more. “Continents? Countries?”
    General History jumped up. “It’s maps and mountains, rivers, roads, food sources, borders, and clans.”
    Nonfiction leveled his gaze on Grayson. “Tell us what you’re looking for, so we can narrow your search.”
    Nilla whispered, “You might as well. Soon the whole town will know.”
    Grayson nodded. “The post office plans to close the Crittertown office. Our colony must find a new home.”
    The library mice gasped, then started chattering. Amid that babble of squeaks, I caught a few phrases. “Not good for the town…,” “…post office is the hub…,” and “They better not want to live here!”
    Mystery wondered, “What’s the motive for such a cruel crime?”
    Humor laughed. “You see plots behind everything.”
    Economics asserted, “It’s about money. Everything human comes down to money.”
    Cookbooks suddenly shouted, “I smell a ca…” Before she finished that dreaded word, Dot leaped onto the encyclopedia! Her tail lashed. Her eyes glowed. Her sharp fangs shone like daggers. Every mouse scattered, tripping over rolling acorns.
    General History commanded, “Follow me!”
    In the semi-darkness, the brown