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    Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin
    Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin
    Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin
    Ebook87 pages1 hour

    Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin

    By John Crespeno

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    About this ebook

    "Tobys father was pulling on his arms to hold him in place. Let me go, Father! I want my mother! His father turned Toby around and held him with both arms. No, my son. You must learn to live life on your own. Promise me you will go forth and master your environment. Do as I say.Tobys dream from the first night in the garden.

    Toby Bell is a curious, young mouse who becomes separated from his family during a cat attack and finds refuge in a neighborhood backyard garden that is filled with a community of small animals. They adopt the scared little mouse and teach him the importance of group cooperation. As Toby grows, he becomes a natural born leader of the group and even helps establish the gardens military security force to capture the thief who is stealing possessions from its residents. Toby finds himself the hero of the garden and is ready to conquer life and master his environment!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAuthorHouse
    Release dateJul 12, 2011
    ISBN9781481731744
    Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin
    Author

    John Crespeno

    While writing Toby: The Mouse Who Lived in a Pumpkin, John Crespeno realized that his little gray mouse needed to venture forth beyond the protective environment behind the brown cedar fence and search for his family. The veteran teacher had always encouraged his own students to always take their assignments and projects to the next level. By reuniting Toby with his family and overcoming obstacles that both students and adults face every day, the author created Toby and His Battle for Freedom. Mr. Crespeno continues to live and thrive in a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

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      Book preview

      Toby - John Crespeno

      Chapter One

      Toby and his family dashed down the alley staying as close to each fence of every yard for their own protection. During an attack, always keep close to walls and fences; never place yourself in an open area. It’s way too dangerous, Toby’s father had always advised him. Find places you can make quick getaways in any direction from either a dog or a cat. But then, as an afterthought, he would remind Toby that cats also have the ability to climb.

      Over the last few months, the Bell family of little gray mice had survived several close calls of being caught by dogs, cats, and once by a large brown hawk which was circling overhead in the noon day sun. But every time, somehow, they had managed to escape the sharp claws, teeth, or beaks of their enemies.

      Now they seemed doomed as Father, Mother, and Sister Bell dashed into a space next to a fence, but, unfortunately, it was bordered by a brick house. There was no place to jump, climb, or dig under the fence to find safety. Only young Toby had managed to stay about ten feet behind the others with the alley as an escape route.

      The large black cat slowly crawled toward the three on one side as the white cat did the same from the opposite direction. Both animals made horrible hissing and guttural sounds that terrified the three quivering mice. The two alley cats took pleasure in advancing as slowly as possible. They would pause and study their victims while surveying the area for any possible escape route the mice could use. If one or more of the family jumped on the fence, it would be a snap for the cats to catch at least two of the terrified rodents for a delicious evening meal.

      Toby whispered to his family, Maybe if I can cause a distraction they might chase me down the alley and you three can escape!

      It’s too late, Father whispered back. They know they stand a better chance of grabbing two or all three of us even if you get their attention. They have us three in their trap and they’re not going to run the risk of losing out to chase you down the alley. No, Son, you have a chance to save yourself.

      Toby’s mother, Bella, could barely speak but managed to whisper, At least I will know my son has a chance to grow up. Mind your father and do exactly as he tells you!

      Son, there is a yard across the alley two houses down to the left of you. It has the tallest brown cedar fence and there is a gap under the gate by its driveway, but not too large that those cats can crawl underneath, Toby’s father cautiously and quietly whispered. Hide there until we come and get you. Promise me you’ll stay there for protection. Sister Bell, did you also hear me? Toby’s little sister was so petrified with fear she could only nod in agreement.

      Toby sobbed, But Father, what will I do? How can I take care of myself? I want to be with all of you!

      Toby, there’s no time for you to argue with me. I want to know that you will be safe there and can learn to take care of yourself. You will have to learn these skills anyway. I just wish I could be there to teach you. Son, I know you’re smart enough to figure these things out on your own and survive.

      The two cats didn’t like the noises the mice were making and moved closer to secure the invisible net they had created to catch the three.

      Toby wiped his eyes and studied the grass below him. How could he abandon his family and live on his own? He knew very few ways of finding food or staying safe other than the few things his father had taught him. He adored his baby sister and couldn’t imagine life without her.

      Toby, you must move very quickly and fly down the alley to the yard I told you about. It’s your only chance. Don’t disobey me. GO NOW!

      With those words, Toby leaped to the left and sprinted down the alley so fast he didn’t feel the hard cement under his feet. Tears flooded his eyes, but he could still see the tall brown fence and he hid in the monkey grass that grew around the entire tall structure. His heart was beating so hard that his chest hurt and he paused for a moment. Not a sound could be heard from the scene he had left behind. The little gray mouse made his way through the grass to the gate, stopping every few feet to listen for the sound of his family that he prayed might be catching up to him. But still, there was no sound from behind, only the slight sound of a breeze rustling through the tall blades of the dark green grass that grew along the fence.

      Soon he came upon the gate, and indeed there were several inches of space to crawl through to gain access to the yard. A large stepping stone had been placed under the gate as if to welcome anyone who might enter. Toby poked his head under the gate and looked around. Twilight had started to descend, but he could still make out the features of the backyard. He quickly entered but stayed close to the fence. To the left of him were large flowerbeds filled with thick bushes and a few tall, thin trees rising to the top of the fence. Toby decided to make his way inside and hide in the bushes as quickly as possible to avoid being seen by anyone.

      Once there, he could easily make his way along the fence

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