Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos

Amos and Ben arrive in a town outside Paris. To Amos’s astonishment, Ben is popular in France, especially among the ladies, and his maxims are quoted everywhere. Diplomats try to ascertain the reason for Ben’s presence, and Amos does his best to monitor them. With Amos’s help, Ben thwarts every plot against them and successfully arranges to borrow millions of francs to aid Washington’s army. Amos points out the irony of Ben’s role in France, considering his adage that discourages the practice of borrowing, and he believes Ben cannot be successful without him. They dine often with Madame Brillon, in whose wig lives a lovely white mouse from Versailles called Sophia. Sophia’s husband was exiled to America, and Sophia was forced to flee the court. He lives in Philadelphia, trying to establish a life for them, and Sophia serves Madame Brillon as Amos does Ben. Sophia’s children are held in a cell under the queen’s throne, and Amos promises to free them and reunite them all.