Chapter 10

Time was going by and gradually Mickey had outgrown his basket. He healed slowly, but eventually he became his naturally curious, happy self, especially when he had something to do. Walt and Lillian was getting quite used to having Mickey around and no longer worried about his running away. But Walt never tried to keep him a prisoner so he didn't block doorways or windows just in case if the mouse wanted to be free of humans once again.

Walt and Lillian decided earlier on that this was a very bright mouse, he seemed to have an "understanding" of things around him and adjusted pretty well, except when it came to one issue--his name. Walt started calling him "Rascal," but the mouse never seemed to respond to it totally, unless Walt made motions with his hands that he wanted the mouse to come to him. Lillian would try also, calling "Rascal! Rascal! Where are you?" but the mouse would look at her and go the other way. Only a treat would get him to turn around but only for the treat--not because he had "accepted" the name.

One day, Walt was in his workroom at his drawing board. He loved drawing and creating characters, especially the four-legged kind. He had to begin putting his paper and pencils in a hiding place because "Rascal" would get into them and there would be shredded paper and gnawed pencils all over the floor. Natural mouse behavior to be annoyingly destructive--but Walt would simply laugh and find a place where "Rascal" couldn't get to.

Walt, with pencil in hand, began drawing his latest creation--a rabbit, black in color which wore a pair of shorts. He drew this rabbit all over the paper in different poses or different expressions, when he felt a pair of eyes looking at him.

He looked down and it was "Rascal." He was staring at him and not moving much. Walt felt a little uneasy the way the mouse was staring at him like that. "Hey, Rascal, what's wrong? Hungry? I can't play with you right now, I have some work I have to finish," said Walt very kindly. But "Rascal" continued to stare, but tilted his head a little while Walt talked to him. "Rascal?"

"M-M-M i-i-i-i-i," said "Rascal." "M-M-M-I kkkk," "Rascal" struggled again.

Something unbelievable just happened….Walt couldn't believe his ears….

"Rascal" sounded like he talked! No….he was just making sounds…maybe "Rascal" is feeling sick again.

"Huh?" wondered Walt out loud this time, not taking his eyes off the mouse. "Rascal" put his head down, stared at the floor for a second, then lifted his head again.

"M-M-M-iiiiikkkkkeeee," was the sound the mouse made again. It did sound so strange, a little like human mixed with rodent all in one. Funny….

This time Mickey came closer to Walt and placed his furry "hands" on his knees and looked Walt in the eyes. Walt was really feeling nervous now. Maybe "Rascal" has rabies? Going to bite him?

"What IS it, Rascal?" pleaded Walt, but he didn't raise his voice for fear the mouse might do something. "Rascal" didn't seem aggravated, he just seemed he wanted something-- but what?

"M-M-M-I-I -KEEE!" said the mouse again, but a little quicker and louder. This time it was so clear that the mouse said a word…a name!

Walt jumped up, knocking over the stool and the mouse in the process. He backed up, not taking his eyes off the mouse. He stared at him opening his mouth wide. The mouse stood up and stared at Walt once more.

"M-I-I-KEEE!" said the mouse and then gave a happy trill.

Walt crouched down so he could be on his level. "Mickey?" asked Walt. "Is….that….your…name?" He still felt like this was a dream. Maybe he was tired. He put out his hand and petted "Mickey" between the ears. Mickey closed his eyes. He loved that.

"Mickey….," repeated Walt in almost a whisper. The mouse responded again with a trill.

He was showing Walt pure happiness, and Walt finally began to understand.

"Did you REALLY talk just now?" he said softly to Mickey. "I still don't want to believe it." Walt stood straight and walked across the room. He turned around and looked at the mouse.

"Mickey!" he called. The mouse ran right up to him.

"THIS IS YOUR NAME!" shouted Walt. Without thinking, he picked Mickey up and hugged him. Mickey rubbed his face against his.

Lillian heard the loud talking and came to see if Roy had stopped by. When she opened the door, she saw Walt hugging the mouse and laughing!

"Walt! What is going on! What did "Rascal" do?" she asked, startled.

"Lillian! Something amazing just happened! Please don't think I'm crazy…" began Walt.

Lillian folded her arms and looked upward. "I crossed that bridge after I married you!" she said sarcastically, then grinned. "Now what is going on?"

"Would you believe me if I told you that this mouse just spoke?" asked Walt.

"No, I would just think you need to take a break from drawing…now mice are talking…," said Lillian, putting her hands on her hips.

Walt put Mickey down on the floor and looked at Lillian.

Walt began, "I was at the drawing table, and "Rascal" came up to me. I could feel him watching me and I was right. He was so still and honestly I started feeling a little nervous because he wasn't moving very much. I told him I was busy, but of course I knew he couldn't understand what that meant, but he came closer. He put his paws on my knees and started making a sound. He repeated it over and over. The more he repeated it, the more it was making sense. He said "Mickey." I was shocked of course, jumping up and knocking my chair and the mouse over! Next thing I did was to walk across the room. I called "Mickey!" and he came right up to me! Lillian! His name is MICKEY!"

"Mickey huh…?" said Lillian skeptically. She looked again at the mouse who was across the room tearing up some more paper. He didn't seem to be listening.

Lillian crouched down and called his name. "Mickey! Mickey!" she said.

Mickey turned around and stopped tearing the paper. He stared at Lillian, then ran up to her. Lillian was so startled she toppled over when he jumped in her arms. He rubbed his face next to hers. She cringed at first, but realized he was showing love, in a mouse way of course.

"This is amazing!" cried Lillian now looking at Mickey who had now rested his head against her shoulder like a small child. Walt looked down, nodding.

"See? I TOLD you!" said Walt, now helping Lillian to her feet. She still held on to Mickey and was now rubbing his back and hugging him.

"Mickey….Mickey Mouse," whispered Lillian. "What a cute name. Animals do give their offspring names then!"

Walt began looking thoughtful. He then looked at his drawing board. It was covered in drawings of the rabbit. Behind him he could hear Lillian cooing and playing with Mickey.

Walt flipped the page to a clean sheet of paper. He believed he just had a bright idea….