Chapter One Toby rested next to a fence in a strange alley, in a strange neighborhood, and in a strange area he had never seen before. Most mice by his age had learned of all the dangers that being out on a mouse’s own might present itself. But Toby had spent most of his learning years in a rather protected environment. Toby was already missing the beautiful garden where he was raised as an orphan. The yard was protected by a community of animals that watched out for each other and had taught him the basics of gathering food and staying warm for the winter. His home had been a hollowed pumpkin that was nestled in a large collection of flower pots filled with tall flowering plants on a patio that gave him a sense of security. But now he had received news that his long lost family could be living in a wildlife reserve field, and he desperately wanted to be reunited with his father, mother, and baby sister. If it was possible that they had escaped an attack by two vicious cats many months ago, his family might have taken refuge in this new land and Toby was determined to find them. Toby hid along the fence lines of these new yards and studied the situation before he would move to the next yard. “Keep heading south,” he would whisper to himself to keep up his courage. “That is where the field is located.” When the clouds would part, the light from the full moon would help him see the best route to take to his next destination. Suddenly, from above, Toby heard a voice. “Hey ya, kid. It’s okay; the coast is clear. Cross the driveway and get to the next fence. It’s safe, little buddy.” Toby recognized the voice of his friend from the garden, a plucky blue jay named Hawkeye. The jaunty bird had promised all the others in the yard that he would help the gray mouse journey safely to his new home. “Thanks, Hawkeye,” and with that Toby darted as fast as possible over to the next fence. He was coming to the end of another block of houses. The mouse had lost count by now of how m
