“What is the matter in there?”
“Oh, Mother!” cried a squeaky voice. “Look, there is a big, white rabbit.”
[Flop Ear], looking in the box-trap, [saw a mother mouse and five little mice]. They came close to the wire and the mother mouse said:
“Oh, we are in such trouble. We are a family of field mice, and our home is in a hole in the ground, not far away. A little while ago I went for a walk with my children. We came to this box. Inside was some nice cheese and, thinking of no harm, we went in and began to eat it. All at once the trap snapped shut and we could not get out. We are caught here, and, though I am a pretty good gnawer, I can not gnaw this hard wood.”
“Don’t worry,” said Flop Ear. “Perhaps I can help you.”
“Oh, if you only could,” said Mrs. Mouse. “My husband did not come walking with us, so he did not get caught in the trap. But he may come to look for us, and he will feel very sorry when he finds us caught.”
“Well, I have strong teeth, and I will soon gnaw a hole in that box so you can get out.”
And Flop Ear began to gnaw.
