The Catbyrd Seat Read Online Free Page B

before.
    “And as for the confidence thing,” continued the determined young mouse. “I’ve seen the way you talk to the people who come into this book shop and ask you for advice; people who don’t know what book to choose, or who want to talk about literature. Certainly, you might not be very good at making small talk or discussing the weather or asking people whether their brother, sister, or whoever are doing okay. But when it comes to something you’re passionate about, you’re entirely confident and can actually talk very well. I’ve seen the way you teach the mice! Don’t forget I was one of them!”
    “One of my best pupils,” said Mr. Byrd proudly.
    “Exactly. And I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for you, Mr. Byrd. I wouldn’t have the confidence and intelligence to believe that I can do this. And I do believe it. And I need you to believe it too.”
    “But…”
    “No more buts,” Cociel raised his hand. “Someone has to stand up to Whiska. Do you agree with me on that point?”
    “I…. well yes, I suppose I do.”
    “And it has to be someone who isn’t a mouse or a cat. Do you agree with me on that point?”
    “Y-yes.”
    “It has to be someone who the mice like and trust. Do you agree with me on that point?”
    “Yes, of course, definitely.”
    “It has to be someone with the best interests of the mice at heart.”
    “Yes.”
    “It has to be someone who is well respected and loved throughout the whole of Huntsville, for whatever reason.”
    “Mm yes, I suppose I agree with that, too.”
    “Well then, Mr. Byrd, don’t you also agree that the most perfect candidate for the job is most certainly you? It doesn’t matter how little confidence you have. Maybe it might help your confidence if I told you that you are well loved and respected throughout the whole of Huntsville. Everybody has heard of The Book Factory, even if they aren’t regulars here, and everyone approves and applauds what you have done for the City.”
    Mr Byrd was brimming over with joy from all the compliments. He felt like it was more than he’d received in all his years on the earth, and certainly more than he deserved. “Cociel, please, you don’t have to say all these things.”
    “I’m not just saying them. I mean them. Please, Mr. Byrd, you have to do this. You’re our only chance.”
    “Well…” He hesitated, but looking at Cociel’s desperate eyes and the way he was pleading with him to take on the challenge, how could he refuse? Then, he considered his family and his father; how they’d told him he’d never amount to anything. Imagine if he won the seat off Whiska and became the Prime Minister of the Mouse Reservation? That’d certainly show them, wouldn’t it? He smiled a little at that, and he began to reconsider his earlier negative stance. “Well…” He said again.
    “Yes…yes….just say yes…” Cociel begged, his hands clasped together in front of him.
    “Yes!” Mr. Byrd cried. “I’ll say yes!”
    “Yes!” Cociel flung his arms around the parakeet’s neck and hugged him.
    Mr. Byrd flapped his wings and flew them both into the air and together, and they fluttered and danced around the room.
    “Yes, yes, yes,” they chanted, in between giggles.
    It wasn’t until much later, once Cociel had gone, that Mr. Byrd began to wonder what on earth it was he’d gotten himself into.
     

Three
    Much to Mr. Byrd’s amazement, when Piggles heard about the plan later on that evening, she didn’t laugh or say that he was crazy. She was somewhat surprised, but other than that, she was excited and incredibly supportive.
    “That’s brilliant news,” she squeaked. “I think you’ll make a great politician.”
    “You do?” Mr. Byrd asked with some apprehension.
    “Yes, and I’ll help you. You’ll need some campaign managers.”
    “Cociel said he would do most of the work within the Reservation, to drum up support.”
    “Yes, and I’m sure he will, but you’re going