fact . . . but I need your help!
Please! I’m
begging you!
”
I rolled my eyes. Poirat must have noticed,
because he changed tactics. He dried his
tears on my jacket sleeve and
blew
his nose on my tie. “So do you have your
passport on you?” he asked calmly. “We
could leave right now!”
By this time, I was annoyed. “
I’m sorry.
But I simply cannot go!
”
“My dear Stilton, why must you be so
stubborn?!” he squeaked loudly. “Don’t you
want
to go to Indiaaaa?”
Every snout in the restaurant turned to
look at me. “Is that Geronimo Stilton?
Why
doesn’t he want to go to India?
Does
he dislike India? But why?”
“No, it’s not . . . I don’t have anything
against India — I’m sure I’d love it there
!
What? He doesn’t
want to go to
India?
But why?
Why don’t you want
to go to India?
I just . . .” I cried in exasperation.
“He said he’d love it there!” Hercule
shouted.
FASTER
than the mouse who ran
up the clock, he reached into my pocket and
pulled out my
passport
.
“How positively banana-rific! You and I
are going to
India
, Gerrykins. Don’t be
such a
fly in the fondue
! You’ve run out
of excuses. Look, I found your passport!”
I can’t go,
but I’m
sure I’d love
India!
Did you hear that?
Yeah! Go figure!
Mouse Island
“You still haven’t said
why
I have
to go to India,” I shouted. “Can you
please just tell me?!”
He pulled out a photo and glanced
at it
mysteriously
.
“Do
you recognize this rodent? Look closely!”
I saw the
beautiful
snout of an Indian
mouselet I didn’t recognize.
“It’s Ratna!” Hercule squeaked.
Ratna!
So many
memories!
“Ratna!? Dear Ratna . . .” I repeated. A
million memories flooded my snout.
Ratna was an old and
dear friend
from mouselinghood. She and Hercule and I
had attended Little Tails Academy together.
It was a
sad
day for us when she and her
family moved back to India!
Ratna’s birthday
Friends forever!
In school
SCHOOL
The Heart of Fire
“My dear Stilton, don’t you remember? We
promised we’d be
FRIENDS FOREVER
.
Me, you, and
Ratna
!” Hercule squeaked.
“Yes, of course I remember . . .
What’s that got to do with India?” I asked.
Poirat chuckled.
“Everything, Gerrykins,”
he said. “Don’t damage your little gray cells,
old friend! Simply use your
EYEBALLS
and take a good look at the ruby in the
photo.”
He showed me a magazine with a
photo
of an enormouse heart-shaped ruby. It was
magnificent — so brilliant
RED
, so dazzling!
“Ratna’s fiancé gave her this
ruby
as
and I
always
keep my
promises.
See this ruby?
It’s priceless!
an engagement gift,” Poirat explained.
“That’s quite a gift!” I exclaimed. “It must
be
priceless
!”
Poirat
sighed
. “Since
Ratna
has
several attempts to steal it.
This amazing gem is absolutely
unique! It is renowned for its heart
shape, its blazing red color, and its
exceptional clarity!
the
heart
of
fire
THE MOST FAMOUSE
RUBY
IN THE WORLD!
The ruby belonged for generations
to the Maharaja of Rajasthan. It was
recently purchased by the famouse
Bollywood actor, Vinay Ratingh, for his
equally famouse fiancåe, Ratna Prem.
The ruby has a long history. Because
it’s so valuable, it has always been an
irresistible target for thieves.
RESTLESS
HEARTS
Ratna Prem
Ratna is the most famouse actress
in Bollywood! Beautiful, intelligent,
warm, and funny, she’s adored
by her fans. Ratna was recently
cast in a new film,
Restless
Hearts
. The lead actor is
still unknown. Rumor has it that
the actor’s identity will be a
mouserific surprise to everyone!
Dear Hercule and Geronimo,
It’s been many years since our childhood, but
I know that you two are my true friends! That’s
why I am coming to you for help.
I am about to shoot a new film, and I’m afraid
someone will try to steal the Heart of Fire, the
famouse ruby my fiancé gave me. Dear friends,
I need your help. Could you come protect me
and this precious jewel during the shoot?
Your friend forever,
Ratna
That’s why she wants us to travel around
India with her during the shoot for her
next film,
Restless Hearts
. She needs
protection
, and she wants to make sure no
rodent with sticky paws tries to steal her
ruby
. I’ve already promised her we
would come.”
He showed me the
email
Ratna sent
asking us to help.
“Why didn’t you just tell me that this was
all to
HELP
Ratna?” I scolded Hercule.
“Of course I will help! Ratna is an old friend.
And true
friendship
is as rare as fine
cheddar.”
“Ahem, there’s just one more thing you
should know, my dear Stilton . . .” Poirat
mumbled
.
I looked at him suspiciously. “What is it?
Spit it out!”
Poirat looked
sheepish
.
“Well, you see, I
also told Ratna that you’d, um, be
acting
alongside her in the film . . . That way, we’ll
have someone undercover and no one will be
abl
e to steal the ruby,” he added quickly.
“
It
was a genius idea, right, Gerrykins?
”
He took out his MousePhone and showed
me an article about the new movie.
MY EYES ALMOST POPPED
OUT OF THEIR SOCKETS. THERE
WAS A BIG PICTURE OF . . . ME!
It was the poster for the
Bollywood
movie, and it had been distributed all over
India
!
“Restless Hearts,
starring Ratna Prem and
Geronimo Stilton,” I read. “But . . . but . . .
but . . . I don’t know how to act! I can’t
possibly be the lead mouse in a film! I won’t
do it!
”
Hercule coughed. “Ahem, Gerrykins, I’m
afraid you’ve already
signed
the contract
with the movie producer.”
“Spicy cheese dip, I certainly did not
sign a contract!
” I protested.
Hercule giggled. “
Oh yes, you certainly
did!
”
Hercule handed me the paper that I had
previously assumed was the restaurant’s bill,
RESTLESS
HEARTS
Starring
Ratna Prem
and
Geronimo Stilton
ACTING CONTRACT FOR THE
FILM
RESTLESS HEARTS
I, Geronimo Stilton, residing at
8 Mouseford Lane, New Mouse City,
Mouse Island, undertake with
this contract to star in the film
Restless Hearts
opposite the actress
Ratna Prem.
I will make arrangements to leave
immediately for India in order to
start filming the movie.
I further commit myself to take
dance lessons, singing lessons, and
Hindi lessons in order to better
perform my role in the film.
Signed,
Geronimo Stilton
Whaaaat?
We must leave
immediately!
Sob!
Noooooo!
along with an enormouse
magnifying
glass so I could examine it.
“
Nooooo! I really did sign
it!
”
I cried in despair.
“
Yeees! You really diiiid!
”
Hercule squeaked happily.
He
waved two airline tickets under
my snout. “I’ve already bought the
tickets to
India
. We’re leaving today!
Aren’t you excited, Gerrykins?
”
Off to India!
Even though
so many years had
gone by
Ratna still held
a special
place in
my
heart
What could I do? The idea of being in a
movie was totally terrifying . . . but it was
all to
HELP
an old friend. So how could
I refuse?
At the very least, I was looking forward to
seeing her! I packed my
suitcase
and
headed to the airport with Hercule.
The trip was very long, and Hercule
blabbed
the entire time. First he
told
me the plot of
Restless Hearts
in
great detail . . .
RESTLESS
HEARTS
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Ratna Prem in the role of a princess of Rajasthan
Geronimo Stilton in the role of the prince of Mysore
PLOT:
It is a time long ago. The prince of Mysore sees
a miniature portrait of the beautiful princess of
Rajasthan and instantly falls in love with her.
The prince writes the princess a letter and sends her
priceless gifts, but she takes no notice. So, hoping to
impress her, he decides to go on a quest of amazing
feats.
First, he explores the Indian jungle and is nearly
devoured by a Bengal tiger. Then he goes to Varanasi to
collect the sacred waters of the Ganges River for her.
Next, he gallops to Jaipur, Rajasthan — the romantic
Pink City where the princess lives.
There the princess and prince meet, and he convinces
her to visit the Taj Mahal with him. It is there, by this
legendary monument and symbol of love, that he
declares his love. And the princess finally agrees to
marry him!
BLAH
BLAH
I
can’t
take
it!
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH
Hercule and I were sitting next to each
other, so there was no escape. He
read
me a
super-mega-huge
guidebook of India from cover to cover!
We finally
landed
in New Delhi, the
Indian capital city.
By that time, I was so worried about
the film that my
EYES
were wider
than wheels of cheese. But at least I knew
practically everything about
India
!
As soon as the
plane’s
hatch opened,
a wave of hot, humid air greeted us. It
smelled of
FLOWERS
and
spices
. I
could see the city’s skyline in the distance.
I have to admit it . . . I was also so
excited
, I was practically jumping
out of my fur. You see, I love to travel. And
I had always longed to visit India.
We were in India . . .
one of the most fascinating
countries in the world!
Our trip had just begun, but my heart
was already beating faster than a
hamster on a wheel. We were
going to have an amazing
adventure
!
Climate:
India has four seasons: The winter season lasts from
January to February, with mild, sunny days and cold nights
in the north. Summer, or pre-monsoon season, lasts from
March to May, with high and humid temperatures, except
in the mountains. The southwest monsoon season, or rainy
season, lasts from July to September. Post-monsoon season is
October to December and marks the transition from wet to
dry conditions.
GeoGraphy:
The snowy peaks and deep valleys of the Himalayas
and the vast plains of the Ganges River are found in northern
India. In the south lies a plateau called the Deccan. It is
flanked by the Eastern and Western Ghats, mountains that
run parallel to the eastern and western coasts.
timeZones:
Although India is very large, the entire country
follows one time zone, known informally as Indian Standard
Time. India does not obser
ve Daylight Saving Time.
offiCial name:
Republic of India; Bharat, in Hindi
area:
1,269,300 square miles
population:
1,299,490,000 inhabitants (2015 estimate)
Capital:
New Delhi
offiCial lanGuaGes:
Hindi and English
type of Government:
Federal republic
CurrenCy:
Indian rupee
New Delhi
Varanasi
Jaipur
Mumbai
(formerly
Bombay)
Hyderabad
Bengaluru
(formerly
Bangalore)
Chennai
(formerly
Madras)
Guwahati
Kolkata
(formerly
Calcutta)
Don’t Miss These
Incredible Cities
in India!
ResTless
heaRTs
Screen tests
for the movie
RESTLESS HEARTS
FILM CREW
ONLY!
As soon as we arrived in
New Delhi
,
Hercule stuffed me, my achy tail, and all our
suitcases inside a
taxi
. “Scurry up, my
dear Stilton! They’re waiting for us!”
The taxi dropped us in front of an
enormouse theater. Outside, there
was a
sign
that read:
Squeak!
“We can go in here, Gerrykins. You’re the
lead
actor
,” Hercule said,
smirking
under his whiskers.
Dear reader, I’m a very shy mouse. Why,
just the thought of squeaking in public makes
me
blush
to the roots of my fur. How in the
name of string cheese was I going to act in
front of a movie camera?
“Er . . . I changed my mind
. I-I’m going
home,” I stammered.
Hercule grabbed me by the
tail. “What about Ratna?
Some friend you
turned out
to be!
”
Look
at
all
the
dancers!
They’re
rehearsing!
“
H
e
c
o
u
l
d
f
e
e
l
.
.
.
t
h