100 Stories About Alyosha and his Friends

“Yes,” Father says.

“I am an unusual cat,” Timoshka thinks.

“I am an unusual dog,” Berta thinks.

“I am an unusual hamster,” Happy Hop thinks.

“And Moc? Is he also unusual?” Alyosha asks.

“Of course he is,” Father answers.

“Why?”

“Because mice never make friends with cats and dogs. And Moc is Timoshka’s and Bertha’s friend.”

“Wow! I am an unusual mouse!” Moc cries.

“Of course you are,” his friends say.

CHAPTER 17. HAPPY HOP CHOOSES A HOUSE FOR HIMSELF

“Where do you want to live?” Alyosha asks Happy Hop.

“Where may I live?” Happy Hop asks.

“You may live in the big house with me and Timoshka,” Alyosha answers, “or you may live in the yard with Bertha or with Moc. But we have no house for you in the yard.”

“We don’t need one more house,” Bertha says, “Happy Hop may live with me in my house.”

“Or he may live with me in my den,” Moc says.

Happy Hop is interested. “May I look at your houses and choose?” he asks.

“Of course you may,” his friends say.

At first, Happy Hop goes to the big house where Alyosha lives with his parents. And with Timoshka.

He looks at all the rooms and says, “I think this house is too big for me. Let’s see Moc’s den.”

They return to the yard and Moc with Happy Hop go into the hole.

Bertha and Alyosha are waiting for them near the hole.

When Moc and Happy Hop return Bertha asks, “Do you like Moc’s home?”

“Yes, very much,” Happy Hop says, “but I cannot live there.”

“Why?” Alyosha and Bertha are surprised.

“Because when I jump I bump into the ceiling,” Happy Hop says. “Moc’s home is too small for me. Bertha, may I see your house?”

“Of course you may,” Bertha says, “You are welcome.”

Happy Hop goes to Bertha’s house. “Oh, I like it!” he says.

He sits down on the hay. “It’s nice to sleep here,” he says.

Then he jumps, high, high, very high. And he doesn’t bump into the ceiling. “Oh, I like it!” he says. “I want to live here. I choose Bertha’s house.”

“I am glad,” Bertha says, “You are welcome to live in my house.”

CHAPTER 18. WHAT IS A CASTLE?

Today is Sunday.

Alyosha does not go to school. But he gets up early and goes to the yard. His friends are still sleeping.

He goes to the sandbox and begins to play.

Then Moc gets up and comes to Alyosha.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I am building a castle,” Alyosha answers.

“What is a castle?” Moc asks.

“A castle is a big and beautiful house where King and Queen live.”

“Do they live there alone?” Moc asks.

“No, they live there with many people and dogs and cats,” Alyosha says.

“And with mice?” Moc asks.

“Yes, and with mice.”

“And with hamsters?” Happy Hop is already sitting on the sand and listening.

“Yes,” Alyosha smiles, “and with hamsters.”

At this moment Bertha comes.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

“He is building a castle,” Moc says.

“What is a castle?” Bertha asks.