Chapter 3
The bell sounds continued, and Bern was swimming down the river, trying to get as close to the sound as he possibly could. He swam so fast, anybeast could not tell what he was if they looked in the water. He was very close when he came to a surprising halt - There was a pike not 10 feet in front of him.
Friar Nobell was in the kitchens (as friars usually are) with twelve Dibbuns.
Unlike many friars, Nobell never scolded Dibbuns for stealing candy chestnuts; he regularly gave treats to Dibbuns.
"Meah wan twen cwandy cwestnuts!" a mousebabe said.
"Oi woant tweny candy chesttnutters!" one of the mole Dibbuns said.
They continued asking for the nuts, when Alko came in.
"Can I have some candy chestnuts, too?" He asked.
All the Dibbuns stopped chattering for a moment, then they sprang upon Alko.
"We's'ms Dibbuns wanna story Mr. Alko!" one of the Dibbuns said for all the Dibbuns.
"Bo Hurr, we do woant a stowy Mr. Alko!" another one of the mole Dibbuns said.
"Okay, I'll tell you a story."
All the Dibbuns crowded around Alko. Alko was a very good storyteller. His father was the abbey recorder, and everybody in the abbey thinks Alko will be the next.
The Dibbuns were very excited about Alko's story, as they usually are. It was about a mouse farmer living during a two-season famine. He also recited a few songs, poems, and riddles during the story.
"Mr. Alko, is that stowy twue?" a young vole asked.
"No, but did you like it?" Alko asked smiling.
"Oh yeah! It was very intewesting!" all the Dibbuns said.
Although the moles said, "Bo Hurr! Thoat was surpintly gudd!"
And the older Dibbuns (who could say things right) said it was great.
"Mr. Alko, oi 'aove a poom thoat oi woanna say!" A young mole named Hunggo said.
"Oh, and meah and Trickle wan sing a swong!" A mouse named Gidds said.
"And I wanna say a poem!" The Squirrel named Brinkel said.
Alko smiled, "You can all say what you like, but Hunggo goes first!"
Snoutface was lost. He hadn't been lost ten minutes ago though.
"Snoutface, what are we doin' in these dark woods?" A rat asked.
"Searching, you nitwit! Do you even know left from right?"
"Course I do. Hehehe, do you?"
Snoutface halted and turned. "Are you doubting my direction!?!"
"Uh, uh. No!" the rat said quickly.
"Good, 'cause if ye were, you'd have to answer to Rerthan."
The seventy-one soldiers continued.
The rat gulped. He didn't like the idea of Snoutface becoming a captain.