Это не похоже ни на что, что вы могли бы себе представить.
It was September 8, 2001. High on a sunny hill stood a cheerful little school where pups from many different cultures would soon gather to learn, play, and grow together.
The head of the school was a tough little Hawaiian mouse named Ikaika. He wore a bright aloha shirt and a rainbow-colored lei that were almost bigger than he was.
On the grand opening of the school, Ikaika gathered all the pups beneath the swaying palm trees.
“Eh, pups! Come over here for a minute,” he squeaked. “I gotta tell you all something, okay?”
The pups crowded around him, curious to hear what their headcheese had to say.
Ikaika looked around to make sure everyone was listening.
“You stay away from that Forbidden Jungle, yeah? No going inside. No matter how curious you get.”
The smallest pup raised a paw.
“Why, Headcheese Ikaika?”
Ikaika fixed his enormous lei.
“Eh, because that place is no joke. The jungle plenty deep, the trails all twisty, and before you know it, you no know where you stay.”
The pups glanced nervously toward the wall of trees in the distance.
“But what’s inside?” another pup asked.
Ikaika lowered his voice until the pups had to lean closer.
“Things you pups not ready for yet.”
A hush fell over the group.
The pups looked at one another, their eyes growing wide.
Ikaika gave his lei a thoughtful pat.
“Look, being brave doesn’t mean you gotta go charging into every strange place you see. You stay together, listen to your teachers, and stick to the school trails. Plenty places to explore without getting yourselves into trouble, yeah?”
The pups nodded solemnly.
“Good,” said Ikaika, grinning. “Now go on! Enjoy your breakfast. And remember what I told you, stay outta that jungle!”
“Yes, Headcheese Ikaika!” the pups shouted.
They scattered across the school grounds, laughing and racing toward breakfast.
Ikaika remained beneath the palm trees, watching them disappear.
Then he turned toward the Forbidden Jungle.
The leaves rustled even though there was hardly any wind.
Ikaika narrowed his eyes.
“Eh,” he muttered, adjusting his rainbow-colored spectacles. “That place gives me chicken skin.”
After breakfast, the pups gathered in the auditorium walls, buzzing with excitement. One by one, they took a turn sitting upon S.O.R.T., the Specialized Oracle for Rodent Talents, to discover which House Mouse they would be placed in.
The strange little machine hummed and whirred as each pup climbed onto its seat. Lights flickered, gears clicked, and S.O.R.T. carefully examined every pup’s unique talents, personality, and potential.
At last, after a moment of deep mechanical thought, S.O.R.T. would announce the House Mouse each pup belonged to.
Their teachers lead them to their Mouse House, a cozy shared space with a welcoming lounge and separate dormitories where the students could call "home."
Учёба начинается.