Ralph S. Mouse

Ralph hides in Melissa’s boot as the night custodian cleans the school. The custodian turns the boot over, spilling Ralph onto the floor, but doesn’t see the mouse. Without the familiar sound of the grandfather clock, Ralph can’t sleep and decides to defy Ryan’s rules and explore the school. In one classroom, Ralph finds art projects covered with legumes and rice, which he eats hungrily. He also enjoys eating from a bag of sugar in the lunchroom. In the library, he finds a nest and promptly snuggles into it and falls asleep. Ralph awakens the next morning just in time to return to the boot as the students arrive at school. Ryan arrives and Ralph scurries into his pocket, demanding that Ryan return his motorcycle. Ryan reminds Ralph that he will return it Friday after he runs the maze, but Ralph still refuses to do so.

Ralph watches the school day proceed from inside Ryan’s pocket. He marvels at how orderly the children are compared to his mice friends and family. The students work on their projects for the “Great Mouse Exhibit” on Friday (71), but as Ralph examines their artwork, he doesn’t think any of the pictures look like him.