Mind's Eye

In April 2008, we asked you to put yourself inside the head of another species. What did you see? that did you think about? Here are the results from some of our most intrepid interspecies travelers.

Perspective of an Unfortunate Earthworm

Max L, age 10, New Hampshire

The Arctic Wolf Sings

The cold wind ruffles my thick white pelt, driving snow into my furred face. I narrow my golden eyes and continue padding through the thick snow. My large paws are spread so I do not fall through the thin layer of ice covering the deep snow banks. Scenting the frosty air, I smell a dead caribou and head towards the warm scent. As I trudge on, my breath forms small puffs of smoke when I exhale. Finally the brown form becomes visible. I trot over to it, growling at the Arctic fox feasting upon the dead creature's entrails. The fox, intimidated by my size and sharp fangs, turns tail and runs off. I turn back to the carcass, burying my muzzle in the warmth, tearing at the flesh to satisfy my hunger. Once I have eaten my fill, I sit back on my haunches and raise my bloody muzzle to the sky. Filling my lungs with air, I howl to the Arctic skies: I am here, the white wolf, spirit of the frozen tundra! Hear my cry!

Nami M., age 14, Wisconsin

Dinnertime

Feed me! Feed me!

If you do not heed me,

I will bite and scratch you,

Though I might not dispatch you.

Footsteps! Footsteps!

I hear footsteps!

Is that my meals approach?

Could it be toasted roach?

Candied mice?

Roasted lice?

WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS...ew.

What is this gross disgust?

Looks like it's made of rust!

Dry and crunchy,

That's no munchie,

For this pretty kitty!

My palate's too divine for two legs.

So I'll stroll on my sleek four legs

Off the floor

And out the door.

Fresh air in my face!

Masters, just give up the chase!

What is that smell?

A lovely smell!

Gasp! Sewer rats galore!

They will soon know what's in store.

I slink up close in hunter's crouch.

wait for it... then I

POUNCE!

Yummy, yummy, yummy.

No red eyes gleam in my tummy!

Silly Masters! You didn't think

I survived upon the brink

Of starvation? (I can't eat that food!)

You did? Well, that's just rude!

Dinnertime

Abby S., age II, Texas

Bugs-Eye View of Life

Kevin C, California

Albert

I was in utter humiliation. Sitting in a salon chair, I was being frouffed up by some strange lady with green square glasses and insanely wide eyes. I heard my master saying, "I want my schmookey poop to be as gorgeous as he can be. Right, poopsie?"

Right.

My name is Albert, and when dog breeds were handed out, I got the wrong one. Being a poodle, a male poodle especially, is the worst possible dog breed unless, of course, being dyed pink and getting an afro appeals to you. Any beagles or terriers out there who aspire to be a poodle? Be my guest! I will gladly switch with you!

My owner is a rich woman with an unhealthy amount of time on her hands. Most of this time is devoted to me. No, not fetch, not walks, but frouffing me up so I look, as my owner calls it, "gorgey."

I despise my life here in froufrou land. But I have been planning. Most people do not realize how smart poodles are, which in my case is to my benefit. I am secretly planning to run away in a spaceship I designed on one of my owners' IO computers. I also have been secretly dragging metal from the recycling plant and welding it in their industrial-sized garage. My only task left is to get enough gasoline from out of the cars to allow me to take off. It's not that hard to build a spaceship. Really! But I guess you humans wouldn't understand.

When I'm gone, I want that hot Labrador that I saw at the park to have all my milk bones (they're pink) and my toys to go to my best buddy, Buddy (I hope you like pink, Buddy). Enjoy, while I'm off dozing in another solar system ... far, far away from anything pink.

Rebecca R., age 12, California

Is it time to renew?

www.cricketmag.com

I-800-82I-0II5

muse contest

CARICATURES!

By new, you've read all about how to draw caricatures in 10IrIe Facial Detective" by Bob Staake. And surely you are an expert. So let's put this newfound knowledge to the test: draw us a caricature of a political figure or other famous person. Not that we don't expect to recognize the face, but please make sure you tell us who it is. Just to be safe.

Contest Rules

1. Your contest entry must be your very own original work. Ideas and words should not be copied.

2. Be sure to include your name, age, and full address on your entry.

3. Only one entry per person, please.

4. If you want your work returned, enclose a selfaddressed, stamped envelope.

5. All entries must be signed by a parent or legal guardian, saying it's your own work and that no help was given. For detailed information about our compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, visit the Policy page at www.cricketmag.com.

6. Your entry must be received by October 31, 2008. We will publish winning entries in the March 2009 issue of Muse.

7. Send entries to Muse Contest, 70 E. Lake St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601 or via email to mail@musemagkids.com. If you send digital photos, please scan at 300 dpi. No faxes, please!

© 2008 Carus Publishing Company Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.