Broadcast: November 30, 2003
Duke's Story

Duke the Mouse in:
AS BRAVE AS A MOUSE

    Did you know mice are brave? I didn't either. I always thought they were timid little creatures. Oh, don't look to Duke to be any kind of a role model. He's not. And he's certainly not your typical mouse. Sometimes I don't think my pet mouse has enough sense to be afraid of anything.
    In case you don't know, I have a pet mouse named Duke. He's the kind of mouse that would be willing to take on any task, no matter the danger.
    But just last night, Duke couldn't sleep. It was dark and the wind was blowing and his mind was full of scary things. I was doing just fine. I mean, I could sleep through a parade, no problem.
    Well, I felt somebody pulling on the sleeve of my pajama and quietly calling my name.
    Duke said he was afraid. He said he wasn't quite sure why he was afraid but he was and could he snuggle next to me for a few minutes?
    Of course I said yes because I know what it's like to be afraid, too.
    And then Duke asked me if I was going to tell anyone about his fears. He said most of his friends think of him as a very brave mouse and he would hate for them to think otherwise.
    Well, I told him coming to my room was a very brave thing to do. I mean, if Duke wasn't brave he would have stayed in his bed and shivered away the night, fearing every shadow and creaking sound in the house. It takes a very brave mouse to ask for some snuggling time, too. I mean, what if I said, no. How would Duke feel then?
    At that moment, I noticed how Duke was feeling; he was feeling asleep. He was snoring away right next to me, about as safe and sound as he could be. I was glad I could help. I guess I bored him with my advice and that's always a good way to go to sleep.
    And that's the way it is with Duke.