Summary

Christopher hid in a crack near the museum exit sign when the children started to leave. He did not want them to step on him. He ventured into another room to get out of their way and a man almost stepped on him. Christopher saw paintings, sculptures, and a blue, unoccupied sofa. He decided to hide under couch cushion. Feeling safe there, Christopher curled up and thought about how lucky he was not to be with the taxidermy boy. He thought about Parrot’s comments about finding a muse and realized that the museum was his. He immediately thought of a new poem, “The Mouse Who Copes! (101)”

With only 20 minutes until closing, some of the children left and some went to another exhibit with the tour guide. Christopher overheard a girl ask Aubrey what was wrong. He said he lost something important...