Page 43 - Nuts to You - The Nutcracker Retold

Bravery and Betrayal
Franz was dismayed, after the horde of mice abandoned Drosselmeir’s tower and he saw the tower covered in drifts of snow. A chill wind blew down his neck as Franz ran down the stairs to the gates. He knew he must protect the Sweeties – but how?
Franz grabbed a spear from a sugary suit of armor at the foot of the stairs. As the first wave of mice gnawed and chewed their way through the gates, Franz held them back by brandishing the sharp tip in front of their noses. But the sheer mass of mice pushed him up the castle stairs, step-by- step, slower and slower, until the mice stopped. That spear looked mighty sharp and they weren’t about to risk a bloody nose. So, there they stood, balancing unevenly, halfway up the stairs, with Franz pointing the spear at their snouts.
Franz, seeing the mice afraid, jabbed his spear at the mouse highest on the steps. The mouse sprang back in fear, tripped on the mouse behind him and fifteen mice dominoed down the stairs. Franz followed up his advantage with a crazy
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