Kipper sat on the Whispering Bridge, a dejected slump to his posture. He had a lot on his mind, given it was Valentine’s Day, and he was on the cusp between thinking girls were totally useless beings or that they were fascinating creatures that he wanted to get to know. Samantha had most recently caught his attention. He now debated if he should give her a card to let her know that he was thinking about her as more than just another kid in the tunnels.

Mouse happened upon a forlorn-looking Kipper as he was on his way to hunt for needed stuff for his inventions. Vincent was so good at helping others that Mouse decided to emulate his hero and help Kipper.

“Kipper looks sad,” Mouse proclaimed as he sat next to him on the bridge.

Kipper just shrugged.

“Too young to be sad, or … sad to be young?” Mouse astutely keyed into part of Kipper’s problem.

“How’s a kid supposed to know what to do?” Kipper asked the older Mouse.

“Usually adults tell,” Mouse noted.

“No, I mean about girls and stuff,” Kipper admitted.

“Ah. Stuff.” Mouse nodded. “Mouse knows about stuff, not so much girls.”

“How do you know if a girl kind of likes you or not?”

Mouse thought a minute. He really wasn’t sure about that himself. “Maybe likes something you do? Says inventions are neat, like that.”

“I’m too young to do much. Except, swimming.” The thought perked up Kipper. “Samantha says I must be part fish.”

“See? Likes what you do. Sweet on you, probably.”

“So, if I gave her a Valentine’s card, you don’t think she’d sock my arm a good one?” Kipper asked seriously.

Mouse shook his head. “Nope. Worst happens, she runs away.”

Kipper sat straighter, finding resolve. He stood up.

“Thanks, Mouse. You really know girls kinda good.”

Mouse shrugged. “Don’t know or not know. Just do and find out.”

Kipper took off to make a valentine for Samantha, leaving Mouse sitting on the bridge.

Maybe I make a card for Jamie, he thought. Worst happens, she socks me in the arm.

Deciding he could withstand the assault, Mouse decided to gamble on love. Taking Kipper’s cue, he stood and went off to make a card. Hunting for stuff could wait. He had more important things to do!