Morris the Mouse Hunter. Vivian French

      MORRIS

      THE MOUSE HUNTER

       Vivian French

      Illustrations by Olivia Villet

       Dedication

       For Bonnie,

       a cat with great charm

       like her owner, Fiona

      Contents

       Cover

       Title Page

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Other Works

       Copyright

       About the Publisher

       Chapter One

      Morris was ginger and white, and very fat.

      “Morris,” said his mother, “you’re much too fat.”

      “That’s right,” said his big sister Rose. “What you need is exercise.”

      “Exercise?” said Morris. “What’s that?”

      His mother looked at him.

      “Running and jumping,” she said.

      “And bouncing and pouncing,” said his little brother Tom. He bounced up and down. “Like me!”

      “Oh,” said Morris. He licked his paw. “I’m very good at licking and purring,” he said. “And I’m EVER so good at eating.”

      “We know,” said his mother.

      “But now it’s time for running and jumping.”

      “Must I?” said Morris.

      “Yes,” said his mother.

      Morris began by running. He ran to his food bowl, and he ate up every little scrap.

      “I’ve done my running,” he said. Can I have a rest?”

      “No,” said his mother. “You must do some jumping first.”

      Morris sighed. “All right,” he said, and he jumped on to the large cosy chair in the kitchen. Then he curled up and went to sleep.

       Chapter Two

      “Morris, Morris! Wake up!”

      Morris woke up. Rose was pulling his tail.

      “Come along,” she said. “It’s time for your exercise. You haven’t done any bouncing and pouncing.”

      “Must I?” said Morris.

      “Yes,” said Rose.

      Morris bounced up to his food bowl, but it was empty.

      “I can’t bounce any more,” he said. “I’m too hungry.”

      His mother shook her head. “It’s not time for dinner yet,” she said.