familiar chime of his pocket watch sang out He carefully removed the watch from his breast pocket and opened it It was six o clock The mouse thought about his family and wondered what they were doing at that moment He knew his mother would be preparing supper She would worry if he were any later Maximilian ran his paw over the engraving on the polished silver pocket watch case It said To My Dearest Son Maximilian P Mouse
This watch was his most cherished possession His father had given it to him on his first birthday That was just before he disappeared Maximilian wondered where his father could be He hoped he was safe Maximilian finally noticed how quickly the weather was changing He jumped to the ground and disappeared into the woods A storm was building and Maximilian needed to get home soon He scurried down a beaten path He and his mother had walked it when they had collected blackberries months ago Even though the long blades of the sweetgrass blocked his view Maximilian knew the way by heart Up ahead he could make out the warm glow of a single candle Its light was emanating from the oak tree the Mouse family called home The oak tree was one of the largest and most impressive in the woods It had survived countless storms mostly unharmed It was the only home Maximilian had ever known
Maximilian sped up He wanted to get inside before the storm hit He knew his mother would worry terribly if he or his younger sister Sally were out when the rains came Soon Maximilian had reached the front door As he pushed the door open huge drops of rain began to fall He was just in time But he wasn't prepared for what he found inside
Chapter 2 NEWS OF THE GLEN Maximilian could hear the fire licking the kettle in the fireplace The oak tree was warm and cozy Maximilian hung his coat on a nail next to the door The house was quiet His younger sister was putting together a puzzle next to the hearth His mother was cutting carrots in the kitchen Although the house was dimly lit Maximilian could see that his mother's eyes were red and swollen It looked as if she had been crying Is everything alright Mother Maximilian asked sitting down at the table Oh Maximilian I don't know what we will do she said Tears were beginning to build in her eyes Maximilian's mother had spent many evenings crying since his father had gone
