Ma Mouse was having a very good day. She’d had a good day at work, and lunch was especially tasty. One of the things she liked best about her new job was that they always got a catered lunch at work after they made their way through the warehouse. On her way home she stopped at the market just behind one of the college buildings. She’d heard some of the people call that building the “cafeteria.” That was probably because it was part of the college. She’d noticed that the people in the college liked to have their own names for things, like “maze” instead of “warehouse” (where Ma’s new job was) and “cafeteria” instead of “market” or “grocer.”
“I’m home,” she called when she opened the door. “Come help me with my shopping bags.”
Three Mouse children came running out to help. “Mikey,” said Ma, “put this cheese on the table; we’ll have it for dinner.”
“I’m Mack, not Mikey,” said Mikey. Mack and Mikey were twins, and kept hoping they could fool their mother about who was who.
“You,” said Ma, “are Mikey. You can’t fool me.”
“Rats,” said Mikey.
“Oh, hello to you too!” said Betty Rat from the doorway.
“Betty!” said Ma, “how nice to see you! Sorry, I’m just getting home. Come in! Is Ralph with you?”
“No, I just looked in to say a quick hello,” said Betty. “And to invite you and the kids to the pool party next Saturday.”
“Pool party?” said Mikey. “Can we go, Ma? Can we? Can we? Hey Mack, there’s a pool party!”
Mack dashed into the room. “A pool party! Yay! We wanna go! Ma, can we go, please? Please? Pretty please?”
“Heavens to betsy,” said Ma Mouse, “Let me find out the details from Betty. I’m sure it will be fine; we can all go.”
“Yaay!” cheered the Mouse children, who began to dance around.
“Oh dear,” said Betty Rat. “Sorry, Ma, I didn’t mean to cause a riot.”
“It’s okay really,” said Ma Mouse, “they’re just excited.”
“Now let me see,” said Betty, peering at Mikey and Mack. “You’re Mikey, and you’re Mack.”
“Yes, yes yes!” said Mikey delightedly. “You’re right, I’m Mack!”
“And I’m Mikey,” said Mack.
The two danced off to the other room.
“You’ve just made their day,” said Ma to Betty. “Those two always hope we can’t tell them apart.”
“I can see how it would be a problem,” smiled Betty.
“Oh it’s a chore,” said Ma, “to tell them apart you have to remember that Mikey has white fur and Mack’s is brown.”
