Crisis in Crittertown (10 page)

Thanks to chirping birds and chattering squirrels, the very air seemed to carry the message, “mail early and often.” The citizens of Crittertown didn't just write to politicians, newspapers, and TV stations. They also wrote to each other, and to friends and family far away. This reminded them of how nice it is to send and receive a card or letter in the mail.

One morning, when Cheddar, Grayson, and Nilla were at the post office, they overheard Mike telling his boss, “You see the figures. Mail volume is way up, and so are stamp sales. Don't you think that justifies keeping the Crittertown Post Office open?”

Mike listened for a while and then chuckled. “Your boss liked the petitions? That's good! Because there'll be plenty more if they try to close this office.”

Mike listened a little longer before saying, “Thanks, thanks a lot. I really appreciate that.”

He sighed, turned up the radio. and danced around the office. I'd never seen Mike dance before. Then he called his wife with the good news. “The Crittertown office is off the closing list!”

We squeaked for joy! Luckily the radio was so loud, Mike didn't hear us.

Grayson exclaimed, “I can't wait to tell Pops!”

Nilla said, “You better! No sense getting caught now.”

“She's right,” I echoed.

Grayson saw the sense in this. Still, Nilla and I both had to sit on his tail to make him wait until Mike was busy with a chatty customer.

Everyone in the colony cheered for the great news!

Grayson grumbled, “I wish we could tell the kids right now.”

“Tell the kids what?” a familiar voice asked from outside the cellar hole.

“Good timing, Chitchat!” I told the squirrel. While Grayson shared our good news, I wrote a note for Chitchat to bring to the children at recess.

“Please thank all the critters who helped with the campaign,” I told the squirrel as I tied the note around his neck.

Grayson chuckled. “I'm sure we can count on Chitchat to spread the good news all over the neighborhood.”

The squirrel didn't mind Grayson's teasing. He replied, “It will be my pleasure.”

By the time we all met at the tree house after school, everyone was eager to celebrate.

Andy brought a deluxe cheese platter from his parents' store. I couldn't wait to dig in. But Buttercup barked, “Can't eat yet. The kids have something special planned.”

I stared at the yellow and orange cubes and slices. I inhaled the wonderful aroma of…American, Colby, Swiss, and…cheddar! My stomach growled.

April nudged Javier and whispered, “Go on, I'm sure they'll like it.”

Javier took his hands out from behind his back. Then he muttered, “It's nothing much. But…I hope it will do.”

“It's a logo,” April explained. “You know, a symbol for the Critter Post.”

Half a dozen voices piped up. “What did she say?” “What's a logo?”

“Like the eagle's head for the United States Postal Service,” Wyatt answered. “Only this is for the Critter Post.”

I couldn't take my eyes off it. The painting was simple but perfect—just a single paw print in bright red on a white background. The blue letters above the paw said “Critter.” The letters below said “Post.”

I wished I were big enough to hug Javier. Instead, I borrowed Jill's pad to write “Thanks!!! It's great!”

Javier started to tell me about all the other ideas he tried that didn't work. But Tanya interrupted. “Come on! We need to say the pledge!” Then she added, “Hannah and I wrote a pledge, like for the Girl Scouts, only this would be for Critter Post recruits.” Then the girls recited together:

I swear to do everything that I ought; to be loyal and truthful and spread happy thoughts!

My eyes filled with tears. How sweet of them to use my favorite sign-off as part of the oath!

I felt too happy to hold the pencil, much less write. And it seemed my thoughts were destined to get even happier.

Grayson stepped forward and cleared his throat. Nilla handed him a small package. Grayson spoke with great dignity: “Cheddar Plainmouse, my grandfather wanted me to give you this tie as a symbol of your new status. From this day forward, you will be known as the Postmouseter, in honor of being the founder and first leader of the Critter Post.”

Nilla opened the box and took out a piece of paw print–patterned ribbon knotted into a necktie. I bowed so she could slip it over my ears and then tighten it around my neck.

I looked down at the tie and thought of all it meant. Once again my eyes filled with tears. This time even my nose started running. I wiped it on a piece of dollhouse curtain.

Meanwhile, Grayson said, “Well, Mr. Postmouseter, how about a speech?”

I managed to stammer, “Thank you, thank you all very much. This is…better than cheese!”