"Thanksgiving? What ever is that old chap" pondered Rattus. "It is a day when Americans celebrate what they are thankful for; there is a dinner consisting of turkey, potatoes and gravy and other wonderful foods. What do you say we make a go for it and climb on back to Hilltop? I hear that the Dutchess is a fine cook. We do have a key to get back into Nowhere. We can continue our journey after dinner."



The oversized bird and the Dutchess's reputation for being a graduate of Gustave's cooking school convinced Rattus that this was a risk worth taking. "All right old man, but we better get started on our journey now; it is a week's walk to Hilltop from here and we need to gather Gretta and Raccoon. Let's go!"

LIVING IT UP, ON BREAD ALONE

Gretta is a long ways from Gothere and she misses her bread box so. However, while the others were getting low down and cozy, Gretta spotted the bread box. A little jam and butter and bread. Has anyone seen a toaster...cinnamon toast is splendid too! Man may not live on bread alone but Gretta can!

AAh,C'est du Thé

The next morning Rattus and Tea with sleepy eyes stumbled down the stairs to go find some strong tea to start there day...
Together sitting at the breakfast table Tea suddenly giggled..Rattus old chap..I just remembered a very funny story Miss Moussie told me a few months ago...its hilarious..and its al about my favorite subject...TEA!!Shall I tell thee..
Please,said Rattus whilst sipping his Earl Grey,..proceed dear Tea.
Well then...ones upon a time...a few summers ago The Dutchess and her husband traveled to a far away land called Jordan....there they visited a town in a hot and dusty deserted dessert..Petra...It was very beautiful..something out of a fairytale..On a sunny morning they decided to make a long walk up the mountain..this was going to be a difficult journey..nothing but sand and rocks...and a very steep climb.
On there way they met a very old lady..she was sitting there watching a herd of goats.On a little fire she made herself a pot of tea...surprised to see people coming up the mountain she very kindly offered a cup!
The Dutchess and her hubby were warned not to accept this tea from kind little old lady's because doing dishes in the Jordan mountains is very different then in our kitchen..This particular old lady however didn't take no for an answer ..poured in two cups with about five spoons of sugar and gave them to our dear souls with a big smile on her face.
So there they were..standing there with tea they shouldn't and wouldn't drink.
The Dutchess was very clever..very sneaky whilst chattering and smiling she whooshed the tea behind the bushes...But her Hubby..was still holding his teacup not knowing what to do...Luckily for him a group of french backpackers came down the mountain..they greeted very politely..Bonjour..Bonjour..and then turned round the corner out of sight..Just enough diversion to get writ of this tea..the Dutchess's hubby was thinking...and whoosh..there his tea went...over the ridge..and down the mountain..Then suddenly they heard a voice below say...AAAh..C'est du Thé..
You can guess..the tea landed on the head of one the French backpackers...he never knew where this tea came from..
That's so funny...said Rattus..luckily they didn't say Ad Fundum..otherwise this Frenchman now would be...invisible!

The door opened....Mozes,Gretta,and Raccoon tumbled in....Hi Guys...we decided to join you in a hearty breakfast before we travel any further...the weather is terrible...its ever so cold...So our little troupe ordered another pot of tea..to go with a big pile of pancakes. The weather outside was fright full..but the fire so delightful...and since they didn't want to go (yet)what do you think,shall we let it.....snow?

,

THE TOWN CRIER - Read all about it!

Somewhere in Nowhere there is a newspaper circulating; Tea and Rattus were relieved to find a connection to the "civilized" world. "Look at this old thing", whispered Tea. "Rabbit Hill Pub and Restaurant is serving high tea today for half the price. Shall we slip out and risk it?" "What about the others old man?" said Rattus. "Oh, I don't think they would mind if we slipped out for a bit; besides Mozes takes to eating wild things



and I have a bit of indigestion from last night's venison. Oh come now man, listen, we can bring back a hankerchief full of biscuits for Gretta and Racoon and a real kidney pie for Mozes. What do you say we take the back road to Rabbit Hill...eh?"



Rattus was a bit homesick for some good old-fashioned cooking and the ad in the paper had said that Rabbit Hill Pub employed the best chefs in the county, and to their surprise, the head chef was none other than...



yes, it was Cecelie herself. They ordered two whole pies and didn't even make it out the door, for her light touch had created a crust flakier and lighter than a feather and had a soporific effect



and the two friends were then carried up to one of the rooms to sleep off their indulgence for the night.

Splish Splash, Gretta is taking a bath!

Now we are reallllly...having fun! Between tea bubbles and soap bubbles, I just know we've found the answer! Bloop, bloop, pop! It's time to play all day! Look Mozes, I can almost touch bottom! That book with missing words is not a mystery anymore, it contains all the answers, perhaps we shall splash real fast....oh no...I took off my wee little blouseee and left it way back there on that branch with my pants...wheres that key Raccoon? "Oh Gretta, don't expect me to know, I can't even keep track of my old pizza box, the crust in there was delicious and I fear I've ate every bite. I have my own issues."

Tea and tea...

First daylight....it came without mercy...after a long night of music and dance.....

Mozes....Wakey wakey..rise and shine....time for tea...
Tea...Someone called me...?
Gretta......Yes my dear Tea,its tea time..
Raccoon.....No better way to start your day then with tea...when there's time..
Rattus...It's always tea time..
Tea....You bett ya..How difficult a day may be ..you can fix it with a cup of tea..

Within a couple of minutes our little troupe was enjoying breakfast..tea and toast.
Whilst eating Mozes took his book out of his knapsack...and opened it.
-Why are you opening your book asked Raccoon..there is nothing to read..
-Well,just checking...said Mozes...I find it very strange to have a book without words..
-I believe we have to write ourselves..Tea said..about to pour some tea in Mozes his cup..
Ad Fundum my dear friend ,he directed to Mozes..and then tripped over his own feet..splashing tea over Mozes his book..
- TEA,yelled Mozes and he jumped up... now look what you did...
-O dear..indeed look what you did...said Gretta..look at the book...

On the page where Tea had spilled his tea....letters appeared...words..
Rattus took the book and read aloud..

"It was the best of times it was the worst of times.."

-Raccoon-Whatever does this mean...
-Tea-It means that we solved the mystery of the missing words..
-Rattus-So we did...remarkable....the books are written in invisible ink..
-Gretta-Let's splash some more tea..I want to know the next line...and so she did..
Nothing happened...not a single letter appeared!
-Well ,maybe it wasn't supposed to be my cup of tea...giggled Gretta.
-No no,said Rattus exited...we are forgetting something what Tea said at he time of splashing...Ad Fundum!
-Raccoon-Whatever does this mean....
-Rattus-It means something like 'bottoms up...'
-Gretta...O, I know what you mean.....
Then Gretta splashed another cup of tea over Mozes his book...accidentally spilling some tea over Tea..who was standing next to Mozes...and she called" Mudnuf Da...
-Mozes-....Gretta,you are talking gibberish again..better try this again...nothing happened with the book..
-Raccoon-....But something did happen to Tea....he disappeared...Tea ,Tea,where ever might you be...
-Nothing happened to me ..said the voice of Tea...I am OK..can't you see..
No I am afraid we can't Tea,said Rattus...you are invisible...like the words in the book..
O goodness ,giggled Gretta...this was my fault,so sorry...I will do it again..
No,give your tea to me ,I will do it my self...said Tea...ad he invisibly walked up to Gretta and took her teacup out of her hand.
Now they all saw a floating teacup splashing tea..and they heard the voice of Tea saying.. Ad Fundum...
There Tea was.. laughing and dripping tea from his whiskers...


-

Yes, it was a lovely evening of music and much merriment! A small band of rabbits joined us that evening, after hearing Tea's sweet violin music waft in the chilly night air. But wait! Tea did have something else in his nap sack other than tea; to the surprise of his friends, he pulled out a beautiful mahogany and gold harp and he played until his little fingernails were worn back to the quick. One of the rabbits was an accomplished harpist, so Tea yielded his little chair and harp to the blue coated gentleman to dance with Mozes



who was worn down to a nub. "I say old chap, you may be small in stature, but you can do the Rat Reel like no one else!"


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It was late, but no one cared. Where there is music, there is life. Where there are friends, there is hope and the little band of travelers knew it. They made a gentle fire that danced to the tune of another promising sunrise in the land of Nowhere.