Madison Morris Is NOT a Mouse! by Kathryn Holmes

Author:Kathryn Holmes [Holmes, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2022-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

11 Be Quiet, Herbert

“When I first came to the library,” Helene began, “I didn’t know what books were. But I started listening when Ms. Washington read aloud. Then I started looking at the books kids left out. When I discovered that the squiggly lines were words that came together to make stories, it was like a puzzle I had to solve. Figuring it all out would be more satisfying than the biggest, freshest peanut butter sandwich.”

“Where does your Great-Aunt Joelle come in?” Madison asked.

“Oh, I don’t have a Great-Aunt Joelle.”

“But you said—”

“What I meant was, everyone has a voice in their head that tells them they can’t do things. I call mine Herbert.”

“Herbert?”

“Yes. When I decided to learn to read, Herbert said I was being silly. Mice don’t read books! When I had trouble memorizing the alphabet, Herbert made sure to tell me I wasn’t smart enough.”

Madison frowned. “I don’t think I like Herbert very much.”

“Well, I don’t like Great-Aunt Joelle.” Helene paused. “The imaginary one. I’m sure the real one is lovely.”

Madison bit her tongue. Her mama always said, if you couldn’t say anything nice, you shouldn’t say anything at all. And anyway, the exercise classes at the YMCA would definitely make the old woman more cheerful … someday.

“Do you know what I say to Herbert when he’s talking too much?” Helene paused dramatically. “Be quiet, Herbert.”

Madison blinked. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“How does it work?”

“Herbert just says, ‘No, no, no.’ He doesn’t give me any helpful advice. If he isn’t going to be helpful”—Helene shrugged—“I don’t need to listen to him.”

“Wow,” Madison said.

“I knew I could learn to read, if I worked at it,” Helene added. “Listening to Herbert say ‘No, no, no’ was only slowing me down.”

This morning, Madison had been so certain that she was leadership material. Then Great-Aunt Joelle had started talking … and Madison had listened.

“If you want to be a leader one day—”

“I want to be a leader now,” Madison said. “But what if Great-Aunt Joelle is right?”

“Well, today probably isn’t the only chance you’ll ever get to show that you can be in charge,” Helene said. “I didn’t learn to read all in one day. It took time. And there are different ways of leading. What are your strengths?”

Madison and her dad had talked about this. “I’m organized. I like lists and plans.”

“What else?”

“I’m good at making friends.”

“Great! Keep going.”

“I’m tidy. My mama likes that.”

“I’m sure she does.” Helene smiled.

Madison smiled back. But then the voice in her head said, None of that means you’ll be a leader. Her smile dropped away.

“What happened just then?” Helene asked, leaning in.

“Great-Aunt Joelle.” Madison looked at the floor. “She—”

“Tell her,” Helene said firmly, “to be quiet.”

“Be quiet, Great-Aunt Joelle,” Madison muttered.

“With gusto!” Helene ordered.

“Be quiet, Great-Aunt Joelle!” Madison shouted, and then clapped a paw over her mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“Great-Aunt Joelle is a real person. She’s an elder! I’m not supposed to talk back to my elders. It’s disrespectful, and it’s not good manners.”

“Well, don’t tell the real Great-Aunt Joelle to be quiet,” Helene said.

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