Inside the big box, Milo listened for footsteps. When Farmer Fluffy left the room, Mayor Mabel whispered, "Now we dig—quietly and together." Max poked his claws into the corner and started a secret tunnel.

The tunnel slid out behind the shelf where no one could see. One by one, the Mole Town Crowd climbed out and tiptoed along the wall. Milo pointed to the box and nodded, "We take our town back."

Max and Milo pushed while others pulled with tiny ropes made from grass. The box scraped forward a little, then stopped with a soft thump. "It’s too big," panted Milo, trying again.

Mayor Mabel unfolded her map and drew a new line. "We can slide it down into our tunnel—slow and safe," she said. They inched the box to the tunnel entrance, but it wouldn’t fit, not even a little.

The Mole Town Crowd sat in a circle, thinking hard. "We need help from a friend," Max said, looking hopeful. Far away, something gentle rustled nearby… and Milo smiled, because he knew who might come next.