The Amazing Adventures of Freddie Whitemouse Read Online Free PDF Page B

expected to go
foraging again. He went to see if the bit of ham sandwich was still by the dustbins, but it wasn’t. On top of all this labour the younger mice were clamouring for a story while they had their
supper. By then he was so worn out that he simply wanted a bit of peace and quiet. When he said he’d told them all his stories they simply said, ‘Tell us again. Tell us about the
jaguars; tell us about the elephants – no, tell us about the snake.’ The snake was their favourite. Mrs Whitemouse shrugged and said on his own shoulders be it, which he didn’t
understand at all, but felt that in some way she was blaming him. He told the story, noticing that the cobra, from being about five feet long two days ago, was now nearer fifteen. It didn’t
matter; they squeaked with joyful terror, which was what they wanted.
    Being a hero was actually rather tiring, he thought, as he settled down for the night – his last, possibly, as a mouse. He quenched the tremor of fear at this thought; he must be trembling
with excitement – he was well known for his courage so naturally he was not in the least afraid.

Chapter Four

    ‘
A nd what may I do for you this morning?’
    The sorcerer had ingeniously placed himself against a corner of the water tank in the greenhouse where at odd intervals a tap dripped one huge, reluctant drop onto the top of his head. Then he
would look up and the drop would dribble slowly down his back to add to the shallow puddle in which he crouched. He had breakfasted off twenty-eight mosquitoes, and was in a contented frame of
mind.
    ‘I’ve decided that I want to be a dog.’
    ‘What kind of dog?’
    ‘Er – a large dog.’ After a pause during which the toad eyed him unblinkingly, he added, ‘And beautiful – by dog standards, that is. So that everyone will love
me.’
    ‘You’ve considered the drawbacks, of course.’
    ‘Not really, because I don’t know what they are. But I’ve thought a lot about the advantages – the good side.’
    ‘And what do you consider them to be?’
    ‘Well, dogs don’t have to hunt for food . . .’ He listed all the advantages that had occurred to him when he’d first had the idea, ending with being loved by
everyone.
    The toad listened. It was impossible to tell from his expression what he was thinking. Then he said, ‘Of course I can turn you into a dog – even a specific breed of dog – but
after that the life you lead will be entirely a matter of chance; it’s nothing to do with me. Nor,’ he added ominously, ‘might it have very much, if anything, to do with
you.’
    There was a silence during which Freddie heard a monstrous drop of water plop onto the toad’s head. He felt confused. What did the toad mean – things not having very much, if
anything, to do with him?
    While he was puzzling about that, the toad interrupted: ‘Before we go any further, I have two statements to make.’ He cleared his throat in a rich, croaky manner. ‘One: this is
the last time I’m prepared to do any sorcery for you. Officially I retired last year. It was merely because I hadn’t switched off my magic properly that I heard from you –
messages occasionally still got through. Also, I have to admit that I was a trifle bored. People usually wish to be more of whatever they are in the first place, and your desire to be someone
completely different intrigued me. So – you have just one more chance. Two: the same rules apply as they did when you became a tiger. You will have precisely one week as whoever you choose to
be. You then come back to me and decide whether you wish to remain a dog or whatever animal or go back to being a mouse. And that will be all. Is that clear?’
    Freddie nodded. He was feeling more and more nervous and could not prevent his nose from twitching quite violently.
    ‘Could you choose the kind of dog for me? I’m afraid I don’t know any of their names.’
    The sorcerer looked at him consideringly. ‘Let me see: