On the Tail of a Rat
- As Despereaux holds onto Botticelli's tail, he's aware of something rather unpleasant—the presence of little tufts of fur and pieces of red thread littering the floor.
- It's obvious that many mice have died down here, which isn't exactly comforting. There are little mouse bones and bigger human bones scattered about too.
- And behind him, there's a whole parade of rats celebrating because there's another mouse in the dungeons and they can't wait to eat him.
- Botticelli tells them to stay away from Despereaux; this little mouse is all his.
- He tells Despereaux to open his eyes and tell him what he sees. Despereaux realizes that he sees light, even down here in the dungeons.