The Ferret trotted across the table and hopped onto the cabinet.  The top drawer was slightly open and he pushed his head in to inspect the contents.  Taking a deep breathe he decided there were peppermints in the drawer and so he wriggled his front paws inside.  At that point he realised that a ruler had got jammed in the drawer and it wouldn’t open any further, he was therefore left with his back paws and tail hanging out.  He tried to wriggle back but couldn’t get a foothold and was reduced to yelling ‘Help!’

After a little while Mouselet stuck her head out of her mousehole and demanded to know what the problem was.

“I’m stuck,” the Ferret complained.  “You’ll have to help me out.”

“How exactly am I supposed to do that?  I can’t pull you out, I’m not big enough.”

“Can’t you get Aemelia to help you?”

“Aemelia is even smaller than me.”

“You’ve got to do something!”

Mouselet thought and returned shortly afterwards with two of Mr Holmes handkerchiefs which she draped over the Ferret’s legs.

“What are you doing?” the Ferret demanded.

“You know when the workmen dig a hole in the road, they put a flag up to warn people, well I’ve draped a warning over your legs so anyone who comes in will know you’re here.”

Fortunately for the Ferret the door opened, and Dr Watson came in.  The first thing he noticed was the handkerchiefs waving up and down.

“What on earth?” he asked.

“He’s got himself stuck again,” Mouselet said.

“That reminds me, there’s something jammed in that drawer.”

“Yes, a Ferret,” Mouselet said cheerfully.

“That wasn’t quite what I meant.”

“It’s a ruler,” the Ferret grumbled.  “If you can shake the drawer a bit, I think I can dislodge it.”

Dr Watson did as he’d been requested and after a couple of minutes the Ferret said, “Got it.”

Dr Watson opened the drawer further, but instead of climbing out the Ferret disappeared into the drawer.

“What are you doing now?” Dr Watson asked.

The Ferret reappeared with a large peppermint in his mouth and mumbled something indistinct.

“What did you say?”

“I think he said he’d found what he wanted,” Mouselet explained.

“I always expect him to regret getting stuck, but he never does.”

“I think he probably views it as being an occupational hazard.”