Stories of Lexi the Museum Mouse - March 2020 - Lexington Historical Society
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The Prompt, announced on January 15, 2020
Stories of Lexi the Calling All Mousestorians - Historic Mouse Discovered in Historic House!
Museum Mouse There's an historic mouse in an historic house, but how did she get there?
Lexington Historical Society is calling on local kids to investigate and create
her story!
March 2020 While packing up Lexington Historical Society’s archives at Hancock-
Clarke House this winter, staff discovered a nest made up of crumpled up tour
brochures in the fieldstone basement. The wee mouse was surrounded by a
By Esme Cohen, Angelina Ding, small book, a miniature American flag, and a little pewter mug, and she
appeared to be wearing a tiny tricorn hat. This was no ordinary nest - it
Adina Gershon, Kiera McCafferty, looked like an extraordinary mouse had made her home there!
Maya Spitz, Addie Weiler, Julia Xu Historical Society staff and volunteers have named the mouse Lexi and
adopted her as a mascot. Local artist Sheila Foley has provided a delightful
watercolor rendering of Lexi the mouse in her nest . However, we don’t know
much about Lexi’s origin story – will you help us fill in the gaps?
Send in your story of Lexi the Mouse: When do you think she was born? Who
is her family? Where does she live? What does she like to eat? What is her
story?
Contest closed on February 22 and the winning entry
was announced on March 20, 2020.
Lexi the Lexington passed...Ten. Fifteen...Twenty. After the air. All the puzzled mice said no. mouse! You can stay in Lexington for
Mouse 25 minutes, the delivery man opened Lexi, feeling disappointed, made her as long as you want! Make sure to
1ST the back of the truck. At the same way to the gift shop and bought check out the Visitor Center! There is
By Addie
Weiler PLACE! time, Lexi sprinted out of the truck herself a tricorn hat. Next, Lexi found so much history in that great town
and ran down the sidewalk into a her way to Munroe Tavern and The you’re named after. Love, Grandma”
Many years ago, A little doorway. Lexi pulled out her Old Belfry and did the same thing.
mouse named Lexi lived with her postcard, looked at it, and then Still not having any answers she Lexi went all around Lexington on
grandmother, Marrett, in Belmont. looked straight ahead. Buckman picked up a pewter mug, an mouse tours trying to find a home to
Growing up, Lexi got postcards with Tavern! American flag, and a book along the temporarily live in. She constantly
images of the Old Belfry, Buckman way. Lexi planned to stay in sent letters and postcards to her
Tavern, and Munroe Tavern. They Lexi ran right in and gazed at all the Lexington for about a week. grandmother Marrett. Lexi tried
were never signed. They had humans. She found a circular hole in living on the battle green. There were
messages like, “come here”, “follow the wall and made her way in. Lexi After a couple days Lexi got a letter too many people. She tried living in
your name” and “ wish you were looked up and there was a giant from her grandmother. It read, “Dear Cary library. There were too many
here.” Lexi always wanted to go to banner that said, “MMOL: Mouse Lexi, It’s me, Grandma. You might be awesome books to distract her. She
Lexington, where the postcard Museums of Lexington”. Then Lexi wondering, who sent you those tried living in the Hancock-Clarke
images were taken and solve the realized that she was not the only postcards? I did. Growing up, someone house basement. Perfect! Every day,
postcard mystery. “Who would send mouse there! There were mice all over actually sent me postcards with she would take one tour brochure and
me these?” Lexi wondered. looking at the historical artifacts. similar messages. I had the exact same crumple it up so she had a little nest.
“Did you send me these postcards?” adventure as you did. I planned for She always treasured the souvenirs
The next day, Lexi was walking down Lexi asked, waving her postcards in the Michelson’s truck to be there. I from her journey.
an alley to take out the trash, when a planned for you to go to the Mouse
truck stopped right in front of her. Museums. I planned everything! The Lexi stayed in Lexington for 3 years
“Mike-el-sins Shoes” Lexi read off trash bag I told you to take out had and still lives there today. She and her
the side of the truck. Lexi nothing in it but tissue! I even watched grandmother became pen pals and
remembered that her grandmother you catch a ride in the truck. I have Lexi constantly visits the Mouse
told her about famous stores in friends who work in different Mouse Museums of Lexington. Lexi is living
Lexington. Michelson's Shoes were Museums gift shops in town. They her happily ever after. If you decide to
one of them! Lexi touched the have been reporting back to me visit Buckman Tavern, The Old Belfry
postcards in her pocket. She ran into because I miss you so much! It makes or Munroe Tavern, keep your eye out
the back of the truck! The delivery me proud to know you are willing to for little mice with little artifacts in a
man started to drive. Five minutes take a risk to go on an adventure and town with a big history.
Artwork by Lila Veneracion chase your dreams, my fearless little
Lexi’s Story family was restless. Lucy, one of the rummaging through the pantry and was approached him. When he realized that
By Esme Cohen Clarke children, was especially upset at finding the cloth bag of corn there was no place to run, that she had
worried – much like you are now. grits chewed right through, grits him cornered, he grinned, trying to be
“Aggghhh!” little Lexi Nibbles Throughout her young life, Lucy had scattered all over the floor. The friendly. ‘Hi, there,’ Lucy hunched down
screamed as she woke from her bed of heard adults constantly talking, Reverend told his wife: ‘Don’t worry, and whispered to Oliver. ‘Nice to meet
crumpled up tour brochures. She sometimes in hushed tones, sometimes Mistress Lucy. I’ll catch that rascally you,’ he squeaked, his heart pounding
scurried over to her father’s bed. “Papa,” in outright shouts, about things like mouse!’ That rascally mouse happened with fear. Lucy, however, didn’t
Lexi called. “Papa! Wake up! Bad taxation without representation, the to be Oliver Nibbles, your great, great, understand him. She said, ‘Poor little
dream – I had a horrible dream!” burning of tea, the boycotting of great, great, great, great, great… well, guy,’ and gently picked him up. The soft,
“Well, what was it about?” her father English goods. The Boston Massacre about 35 greats grandfather. And loving way she touched him made him
said, rubbing his eyes with his front had happened when Lucy was little when Lucy heard what her father said, think that maybe this girl didn’t mean
foot. “There were... lots of loud noises... more than a baby. Some time later she felt sad for that mouse. ‘Poor little any harm. He waited to see if that could
and smoke. Men yelling — there were came the Boston Tea Party. Those were mouse, it’s just as frightened as we are,’ be true, and so he didn’t bite her or
men with guns yelling.” Her father scary stories for a girl to grow up Lucy whispered under her breath. scratch her or anything.
shifted around until he was hearing. Lucy knew she had to be brave
comfortable and paused a moment but it was hard. Hard for everyone. It That night, while Lucy lay in bed, she Lucy carried him to her bedside and set
before replying. Lexi’s fear made her even scared all the mouse families of heard little paws scurrying around the the mouse down beside her. He knew
impatient to hear one of her father’s Lexington. Your ancestors were more bedroom. She opened her eyes and now that she really meant to be nice. He
comforting stories. He always had the scared than you are right now of your slowly sat up. After climbing carefully shifted a bit, then settled in next to her..
right stories at the right time. “Have I dream. In fact, there was one mouse in over her sleeping sisters who were ‘If you want to know the truth,’ she told
ever told you,” he began, “about your particular living in this very house, who nestled in tightly next to her, Lucy him, ‘I’m scared as you. But I’m going to
ancestors and the Battle of Lexington?” was terrified. tiptoed to the corner of the room. There protect you, okay? You don’t have to
“No,” Lexi said, as she settled into his she saw a little mouse – your dear worry anymore. I’ll hide you from my
warm furry arms. “What’s it about?” Mr. It all began one day when little Lucy relative – curled around himself, father.’ She gave him a kiss on his nose,
Nibbles decided now was a good time overheard her parents talking. There’d terrified, just terrified. The frightened said goodnight, and closed her eyes. He
to tell Lexi the story of her family’s been so many human visitors in the mouse was goldish brown with a cute couldn’t believe his lucky cheeses! How
noble history in the Hancock-Clarke Clarke home, and so much talk of little pink nose, just like you! was this possible? Just hours before,
House. revolution. The men and boys were Lucy’s mother had been chasing him
always going on about their militia Oliver froze with fear as Lucy around the house with a broom. Now
“A long time ago, in fact thirty-five training. But on this day there was approached him. Uh oh. Human. He here was this little girl, giving him a kiss,
generations ago in the Nibbles family,” another variety of worrying thought of darting through a nearby promising to hide him, sleeping next to
he said, “word was spreading among conversation that Lucy overheard. It crack, back to the nest he had built in a him even! Maybe humans weren’t all
the humans about a possible skirmish was between her father, the Reverend cozy child’s shoe he’d found safely bad.
with the Regulars. The whole Clarke Jonas Clarke, and her mother, also concealed behind the wall. But poor
named Lucy. Mrs. Clarke was Oliver was frozen with fear as Lucy The night went by quickly. Lucy slept
more soundly than she had in a long Lucy seemed well rested and happy real world, the world where there was a life. The revolution that had been
time, and woke up a little earlier than this morning. She’d been worried for very real possibility of losing growing stronger every day and had
usual to make sure no one saw her new weeks about the possibility of war, and everything. She kneeled on the floor recently reached its breaking point. All
pet. She lightly tapped him awake and had so many nightmares lately, that it and whispered to him: ‘We are just like day long, the men had been planning
cupped him lovingly in her palms. was a relief to her parents to see her each other, you know? Our homes are and plotting, while the women
Under the bedsheets, she whispered: excited and happy again. So they gave both being threatened. We need to nervously prepared the home.
‘What should I call you?’ ‘My name is her permission to leave the table. stick together, you and me. My father
Oliver,’ he said. But to Lucy’s ears, she will not take your home and your life, ifThe house had fallen silent after
could only hear squeaks. ‘How about, Lucy ran upstairs as fast as she could, I have anything to say about it.’ Then everyone had finally retired to the
Oliver?’ she said, as if she’d read his hoping that Oliver hadn’t scurried off. she frowned. ‘Hopefully, no one will various rooms. The children were all
mind. Oliver hopped up and down to Fortunately, he remained in the same take my father’s home and life as well,’ nestled into their beds. And little
show his approval. ‘Good,’ she said. ‘We spot behind the doll. When Oliver she said. Oliver was in the corner of the room on
think alike. Now…’ she looked around realized that Lucy had come back and the new bed that Lucy had sewn for him
the room. ‘Now, we just need to hide you with food, wow, he jumped up and Over the next week, Lucy continued to from homespun cloth. During those
while I do my chores.’ Lucy decided to down, up and down with the biggest hide Oliver and the rumors of war days, not only had the people in town
hide Oliver in the corner of the room smile ever to cross the face of a mouse. continued to swirl about the town of burned all their tea, they refused to buy
where she had originally found him. Who could blame him? He hadn’t eaten Lexington. The Clarke family was cloth from England and the women
But this time, she covered him with a a proper meal in a while. When he becoming more and more restless. Her started spinning it themselves. It was a
rag doll and said, ‘Hide here. If anyone eagerly bit into the bread, he felt sure family wanted in on the action, while lot of work and so the homespun cloth
starts to enter the room, I’ll shout to you,
he was the luckiest mouse on earth. Lucy and Oliver remained wanting a was precious. Lucy had taken a risk by
“The Regulars are out, the Regulars are And same for Lucy. Seeing him eat peaceful home. Then everything sneaking a bit of it to make Oliver’s bed,
out!” Okay? That’s a warning for you made her happy. Then, all of a sudden, changed. but she’d grown to love her little friend
not to make a sound. Understand?’ she realized that it was the first time in and wanted him to be comfy and safe.
Oliver hopped up and down and Lucy weeks that she felt perfectly at peace in It was April 18, 1775, when Lucy woke Lucy saw that Oliver was also awake, so
said, ‘Good luck, little friend!’ She ran her own home. Oliver somehow made suddenly around 11:30 in the night. She she tiptoed over to him and picked him
downstairs. her feel not so alone. All the rumors of found herself wide awake in spite of the up. ‘I can’t sleep,’ Lucy whispered. ‘Me
war had faded tiring day the entire family had just neither,’ Oliver squeaked, which was
At the breakfast table, crowded in with from her mind, if had. There were very important guests almost so quiet that Lucy couldn’t hear.
her noisy brothers and sisters, after the only for that in from Boston, including Mr. Samuel After all, he was as quiet as a mouse.
Reverend said grace, Lucy quickly ate moment. Adams and Lucy’s mother’s cousin, John
her bowl of porridge. Then, slyly, she Hancock. But these men weren’t just ‘You too?’ said Lucy, reading Oliver’s
took a small piece of bread and asked to After their joy friends and relatives of Lucy’s family. feelings. ‘I am not sure why but I feel
be excused from the table. Her parents calmed down, They were the most important patriots like something big is going to happen
weren’t pleased that she ate so fast and Oliver and Lucy and the leaders of the revolution that tonight. Don’t you feel it?’ Little did
didn’t want to have family time. But returned to the Lucy had heard talked about her entire they know, that night would change not
only their lives but the lives of many that he would be right down. By this brought some joy to their daughter. And them on to you. This is not just Lucy and
others, too. point, the whole family had gathered in times of war, you take any joy you can Oliver’s story. This is your story. This is
Not too far away from where Lucy and around. ‘Shouldn’t these children be find. your home. You may have nightmares,
Oliver were whispering in the night, returning to their beds, Mistress Lucy?’ but they are only dreams.
two men on horseback were galloping Jonas Clarke said as he turned around As the war finally came to an end, Lucy The Clarke family is long gone from this
as fast as they could toward the Clarke to face the family. ‘Yes, of course,’ said and Oliver had stuck together through home, but the stewards and visitors who
house to deliver a serious message to the reverend’s wife as she ushered the it all. Things started getting better for come here now honor and respect the
John Hancock and Samuel Adams. The children away. everyone. Against all odds, America legacy this and other patriotic
two horsemen, Paul Revere and had won the war. Lucy felt truly safe for Lexington families left behind. And
William Dawes, were coming to warn Back in the bedroom, no one could sleep the first time in her life. they know that our family, the Nibbles,
them that British troops would soon be a wink. Only a couple hours later, what live here in peace. They even ask little
passing through Lexington to arrest Mr. Lucy had long feared had begun: war. And Oliver eventually met a pretty children all around Lexington to tell our
Adams and Mr. Hancock, before moving She heard drums and guns and screams. mouse named Margaret. Her friends story. Know, then, that you are always
on to Concord, where lots of ammunition Lucy picked up Oliver and took him to called her Peggy. Oliver and Peggy safe and loved here.”
and supplies were beings stored by the the window with her siblings. All of made a comfortable home together in
rebels. them stood there, speechless, gazing at one of the old shoes that was concealed With those words, her father’s story was
the scene outside their window. Seven within the wall. Together they had finished and he took out an old
It was now around midnight when hundred British troops. Bleeding men many children, to whom they told the matchbox. From inside, he pulled out
Oliver and Lucy were startled by loud on the ground with fatal injuries. Other very same story I’m telling you right the tiny tricorn hat, pewter mug and the
banging on the front door. Lucy’s men running. Women and children now. Betsy Ross flag that Lucy had made all
siblings also woke up, feeling something watching from windows, terrified. One those years ago. He placed the hat on
scary was about to happen. Lucy hid of their neighbors, Jonathan Harrington, Lucy and Oliver remained friends for Lexi’s head, the mug in her hand, and
Oliver in her hands and stood up along was shot, crawled to his doorstep, and the rest of Oliver’s days. To recognize wrapped the flag around her. “And
with her siblings. Their father, the died at his poor wife’s feet. him as a true patriot mouse, and to show when I am gone, Lexi,” he said, “it’s your
Reverend Jonas Clarke, had come into her appreciation to him for keeping her responsibility to tell your own children
the front room that was connected to the Lucy knew that the fight for a peaceful spirits up during the war years, Lucy about Oliver, Lucy, and our beautiful
children’s bedroom. He opened a home and a free country was going to be sewed a small American flag and a tiny home.”
window to see what all the ruckus was a harder battle than anyone had ever tricorn hat for him. She even made a
about. Despite her fear, Lucy ran over to thought. The world would never be the special pewter mug out of an old The End.
the open window to see what was same. During those war years, her thimble, so he could drink like a
happening. Paul Revere explained to parents discovered that Lucy had gentleman. Oliver cherished and took
the Reverend what was going on and adopted Oliver. Her mother didn’t great care of these gifts. They have been
the children listened intently, their chase him with a broom anymore and passed down many times through
heads peering out the windows. Then her father didn’t call him rascally, generations of the Nibbles family. Now,
their alarmed father responded saying either. They could see that the mouse my sweet daughter, Lexi, I am passing
Angelina Ding with Lexi and Cheese statues
made of slime, February 2020
The Mouse Who Lives Under After the sun rose a Lexi’s Ride shadows and faded. Lexi squirmed
The House lad said “ It's all By Kiera McCafferty out of Paul Revere’s Pocket, and then
By Adina G Gershon over……it's all over plopped onto the ground. Her eyes
and only ten lay It was a cold April night in 1775. Two scanned the whole area, but the
Mr. Adams and Papa stood in the dead on the bright stars glared down at a huge mouse seemed to have disappeared.
living room whispering under the clovers.” A few days ship. The huge ships passed a tiny She dashed swiftly toward the mouth
light of the moon. And in the later we went to the boat. The ship had many men, all of darkness until shadows gulped and
basement and in the gloom little Miss funeral a moving ceremony Papa packed together like sardines, and swallowed her whole.
Handcock only 8 who creeped out of said. He asks if I was scared I nod my dressed in red. Paul Revere got off the
bed to stay up late. Looking through head. boat, got on his horse, and began She was just the quick rhythm of tiny
a small crack she could see the fight riding. Lexi nibbled on a strawberry feet scattering, some force that was
and the smoke like the enemy was “I was crying (and I’m not lying!) and as she stuck her pointed snout outside stalked by the predators of walls and
not afraid of dynamite. But as she thanks to a mouse who lives under from the pocket of Paul Revere. She cans, waiting patiently to attack. All
shivered in her shoes as another sat the house. I did not weep so hard or felt the wind brush her face. She of a sudden, light rattled at the
humming the blues. She sat on a chair try to sing like a bard. Lexi was as folded her small rounded ears to darkness’s walls, and out burst a
behind a book and climbed up to firm as General Parker. She kept her block out the loud voice yelling “the rushing river of warmth. The portal’s
give her a sad look. spirits as bright as a yellow regulars are coming!” over the steady magic blinded her, even though it
marker.” taps of horse hooves. She looked at was normal light. A tiny, floppy
“Oh dear. Oh dear. You told me there the two lanterns glaring down on red eared shape showed her the way, the
would be no fighting here.” said little That night little Miss Handcock uniforms. The horse hooves skidded to darkness’s souvenir. The blurry little
Miss Handcock. She sat in a chair didn't go to bed. She sat down with a stop, and dust danced around them. figure slowly fused into a young
sobbing and her heart throbbing. her needle and thread, and made a A ghost of the house’s shadow loomed mouse. His eyes were bright, black
hat with three corners and a flag the over Lexi. eyes that shone iron silver, and were
“No this is not bad, yes it is sad, but in size of a rag with 13 stars and a book filled with seriousness. “The Regulars
the future you will see you’re helping that could fit into the smallest nock Then her eyes stole a glance at are coming!” Lexi burst out. She had
us establish a new country.” Said in the wall. Every so often she would miniature floppy ears followed by a to tell him the news. But his gaze was
little Lexi warm in her bed. “ It is ok have tea with her and Lexi would scaly, deep and knowing. He led her out
Illustration by Kiera McCafferty
little one when the war is over we all always curl up into a ball and fall snake- into a tiny room, and the emptiness of
will have fun. Let me read to you in asleep. Whenever Miss Handcock like it didn’t seem right, and she smelled
my warm bed in this book there is no saw Lexi she would never weep tail. It more mice. Then, ears began to poke
blood shed.” when Lexi falls asleep. sulked out from behind objects. Soon, about
into ten more mice stood in the room. She
the stared at one that had seemed to roll
out of a piece of parchment. pocket, then shivered as he felt what The Story of Lexi Soon she was there. She looked
was in there: cold, heavy emptiness. By Maya Spitz around. Then she saw the perfect
“That’s Hancock Jr.” Lexi turned “Where are you Lexi?” He thought. place, the Hancock-Clarke House.
around to notice the squeak belonged When Lexi was little, she always She could study there and live there.
to the mouse who guided her here. To Lexi, Lexington green looked so wanted to learn the history of As soon as she got inside, she started
”I’m Nibbles,” he said. Nibbles different when it was filled with Lexington. Lexi lived in a barn in looking for supplies to use. She found
introduced Lexi to the other mice, Pip, minutemen and Redcoats. “Disperse,” Maine. It was December 27th, 2019. a small mug for water, a flag to show
Squeak, Whiskers, Peanut, Amber, said Captain Parker. Flop, the mouse Lexi told her parents she was going to she was patriotic, and a book so she
Sniffles, Fuzzy, Cheddar, Blueberry, who was deaf was perched on a study the history of Lexington. That will never get bored. The next
and the little deaf mouse named Flop. minuteman’s soldier. “Oh, no!” day she hopped on a boat. One day morning she started to read. She read
“Come sit down, you must be tired whispered Nibbles. “He didn’t hear it!” later she set off on foot. When it 57 out of 100 books. The next day she
from your travels,” Nibbles invited. Flop walked over and hit the musket’s started to get dark she settled down read the rest of the books.
“Sorry,” said Lexi. “I have to find Paul.” trigger. When the British where fired in a grassy field and fell asleep.
“I’ll go with you,” Pip volunteered. at, they fired back. Lexi ran and ran, Suddenly she felt water on her face. When she was done she was so
“Me too.” whispered Amber shyly. away from the battle, away from fear. Lexi opened her eyes, it was pouring. excited, she scrambled out the door
Lexi ran to find shelter. It rained the and started to look at the statues she
Lexi raced through the long hall. But When she reached the house, panting, whole day. For the next three days learned about in the books. That
her old enemies, the walls and all the Paul Revere was just getting ready to she woke up at sunrise and went to night, as she walked back in to the
litter scattered on the floor were not so walk back to his house. “Oh, there you bed at sunset. Hancock-Clarke house she was glad
scary now that the pattern of more are Lexi!” he exclaimed. “Come on.” she came to learn about the history of
paws followed her. Lexi dashed But as he held his hand out, Lexi Lexington. When she feel asleep, she
through it, but the pain of stumbling stubbornly refused to move. Paul dreamed about her next adventure.
didn’t matter any more. Just as she Revere knew that she wanted to stay
approached the way to freedom, the here, with all of the mice around her.
clatter of horse hooves sounded, than
faded away. “No!” moaned Lexi, “He's “Goodbye, Lexi,” he whispered. ”I’ll
gone.” look forward to visiting you.” Lexi
faded into the shadowy hall, and the
The cold breath of the wind covered Silversmith Paul Revere disappeared
Paul Revere, as he thought of how into a tiny phantom shadow running
cold he was. Then his mind drifted to under the light of two starry lamps.
his poor pet mouse, Lexi, who must be
freezing. He reached into his cold
The Story of a Mouse Named Lexi “Too much sugar. It makes me hyper!” scurried under the door. It was hard little pewter mug for drinking water
By Julia Xu but when Lexi had gotten through. A or peppermint tea. She had worn a
One day, Lexi’s parents asked her to blast of hot air hit Lexi’s face like a tiny tricorn hat her mother had sewed
There once was a mouse named Lexi go outside to get some food for her warm soft pillow. Suddenly, she heard for her because it was cold. Lexi was so
Angelou. She and her family lived in family. Lexi went to the garden to get a noise and quickly scurried away tired that day that she forgot to even
the woods next to a large, yellow some dried berries and peppermint. from sight under a small cabinet. She take off her hat!
house. They were completely Just as she reached the log, it started could hear some people coming in so
forbidden to go inside this house by snowing, really hard. Lexi knew that she scurried off to the next room, and And Lexi the moustorian fell fast
Lexi’s mother. But obviously she went by the time she collected food and quickly hid under a chair. asleep. Even though she didn’t know it
inside a few times. went back she would be buried into at the time, she could feel that it was a
the snow so her only choice was to go Over time Lexi got bored and she different day - a day of exquisite
Outside this house was a little garden into the big yellow house and stay decided to eavesdrop on what they cheeses and a turning point in her life.
full of herbs and berries. Lexi's family there until it stopped snowing. were saying as she perked up her ears.
often got their food from this garden Lexi heard them talking about history
in the summer. Lexi’s mother would Lexi headed off toward the big house. and how the house was so old. Lexi
gather some berries and seeds from When she was near the house, she became fascinated and followed them
this little garden and they would eat noticed a crack under the door just around. “All my life I’ve lived right
them. Every year, before winter large enough to fit her. So Lexi next door, without even knowing
comes, they would store dried berries, what it really was!” she said quietly to
seeds and dried herbs under a log herself as she scurried back home to
near the garden. Lexi’s favorite food tell her family.
was the tiny crumbs of cheese or little
bits of creamy chocolate they could From that day on, Lexi went back to
rarely find. Every year on Lexi’s the house every single day to learn
birthday, her parents would give Lexi more. It was like her treehouse. One
a big hunk of cheese and a piece of day, she was again caught in a
chocolate (which were both her snowstorm. So she stayed overnight in
favorite foods). Lexi had a little a little nest she made for when she
brother named Timothy who, on the liked to curl up and read a tiny book.
other hand, disliked chocolate. “How Lexi had a little collection of things
could anyone dislike chocolate?” she had found, a little American flag,
Lexi had asked, on a chilly fall and a small book she loved. Lexi had
Illustrated by J. Chen also brought over from her house a
morning. Timothy shook his head,You can also read
