The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The centerpiece of the story is a toy motorcycle that’s just the right size for a mouse to ride on. It’s painted red and has gleaming chrome exhaust pipes. It belongs to Keith, but Ralph yearns to ride it, and the duo bonds over the mouse’s ability to drive it around the hotel floors simply by sounding out the noise of an engine. The motorcycle symbolizes the wish-fulfillment dreams of millions of kids who play with toy vehicles: If the little devices could be propelled simply by making an engine noise, and if, somehow, they or a mouse friend could ride them, they’d be partway to their own dreams of driving actual vehicles.

Additionally, motorcycles symbolize adventure. Because Ralph is drawn to the adventurous two-wheeled vehicle, as opposed to the safer exploration that cars afford, Cleary characterizes him as an intrepid thrill-seeker. Conversely, the toy ambulance symbolizes helping others and signals Ralph’s change in perspective. In driving the ambulance, Ralph chooses aiding his friend over simple adventure.

Aspirin is a symbolic obstacle that Ralph must overcome to obtain a more mature perspective. All Keith needs is an aspirin pill to help relieve his fever, but none are available late at night.