De la Casa de Ratoncito Pérez

My dearest …,

I live in a biscuit tin in a cupboard in Madrid, which is smaller than you are imagining, and I went out last night as I do every night. I keep a list, and I read it on the way, and near the top of it was a name: .

Being small is my entire advantage, , so let me pass on what I know about it. Small things get everywhere. I go under doors. I cross whole rooms while people are talking and nobody looks down. Being the smallest one in the room is not the same as being the least important one in it — it is usually the opposite, and I have the teeth to prove it.

Your tooth is an excellent one. I checked it properly on the windowsill by the streetlight, which is my habit, and I have put it somewhere safe with the others. Mice know about teeth. Ours never stop growing, not once, our whole lives. We take the subject seriously.

I was told about , and I thought it was very brave for somebody who is not yet as old as some of my nephews.

Hasta el próximo diente,
with a very small hand and a very big heart —

Ratoncito Pérez

El Ratón de los Dientes

P.S. — There may be the smallest of crumbs on your pillow. I had brought a biscuit. It is a long way from Madrid and a mouse has to eat.