The Mouse Who Owned a Boot

Most mice live in walls. Some live behind cookers, where it is warm. Hilda lives in a boot at the back of the shed.

The boot is brown and tall. The toe is round. The lace is one of those long, loose laces that flops to one side. Hilda thinks the lace is the best part. She uses it as a doorbell.

When her cousin Pomp came to visit, he sniffed the boot and said, "A boot? Why a boot?"

"It was a gift," said Hilda, very proud. "From the man who lost it."

She showed him round.

"This is the kitchen," she said, pointing to the toe. "This is the bedroom," — the heel. "This is the front porch," — the bit just above the lace. "And this is the lookout tower." She climbed up to the top of the boot.

Pomp looked impressed in spite of himself. "Where do you keep your nuts?"

"In the second eyelet from the top," said Hilda. "It's a perfect size. I checked."

That night they had supper on the porch. They watched the moon come up over the watering can.

"It's a good boot," said Pomp.

"Yes," said Hilda. "It's the best boot in the shed."

"It's the only boot in the shed."

"Same thing," said Hilda.