The Secret of NIMH Page #4

Oh, I... I never knew...

just what happened.

Why did he never tell me about any of you?

Why?

To answer that, I must tell you about NIMH

and our Plan.

Go!

Look there!

In the beginning, we were ordinary street rats.

stealing our daily bread and

living off the efforts of man's work.

We were captured, put in cages

and sent to a place called NIMH.

There were many animals

there... in cages

They were put through the most unspeakable tortures

to satisfy some scientific curiosity.

Often at night I would hear

them crying out in anguish

Twenty rats and eleven mice were given injections.

our world began changing...

Then

one night

I looked upon the words under the cage door...

and understood them.

We had become intelligent.

We could read.

The miracle was kept secret from the scientists.

and in the quiet of the night

we escaped through the ventilation system.

The mice were blown away

sucked down dark air-shafts to their deaths.

All except two...

Jonathan and Mr. Ages.

We were trapped by a locked door on the roof.

It was Jonathan who made

possible the unlocking of the door.

I have a gift. Come.

Jonathan meant it for you.

It's so beautiful!

It sleeps.

Sleeps?

Yes.

When worn by one with a courageous heart

the Stone glows red.

It becomes a blinding radiance.

Courage of the heart is very rare.

The Stone has a power when it's there.

Look! An inscription.

You can... unlock any door...

if you only have the key.

Oh, thank you.

I will treasure it always.

Jonathan couldn't tell you about NIMH

because the injections slowed the aging process.

You see, you would have grown old

while he remained young.

Nicodemus

The boats are ready and waiting.

We can leave any time.

Good.

My child, shall we journey to your home?

Sir?

Tonight we must move your house

to the protected side of the stone.

The lee of the stone!

Yes.

I don't get it, Jenner.

With Nicodemus out of the way

what's to stop us from taking over?

Jenner, you can't kill Nicodemus!

No taste for blood, eh?

They've taken the animal out of you.

What if we're discovered?

Ach, listen.

The Brisby house is a large cement block.

In the moving, what if it should fall?

An accident?

Of course!

Cut the lines, and the weight of it

will crush his bones!

It's risky..

Once rid of Nicodemus, the Plan will die.

We can stay here as long as we like!

What... what about Justin?

Leave him to me...

Sometimes, when we have a large project

that takes us into the open

Mr. Ages makes up a sleeping powder to give to Dragon.

How do you get him to take it?

Someone must go into the farmhouse kitchen

and put it in his dish.

The only way into the kitchen

is through a tiny hole in the floor.

Ages tried it yesterday.

That's how he broke...

Broke his leg.

Right.

That was close.

What's up there?

The mill. It's falling apart.

Hope it stays up there

at least until we've done with the Plan.

Plan... what is the Plan?

To live without stealing, of course.

It's wrong to take electricity from the farmer.

My child, we can no longer live as rats.

We know too much.

We're almost there.

Um... your Majesty

I should go prepare the children, for tonight.

We shall wait here until dark...

Um... About Dragon, maybe...

Oh nothing. Goodbye!

I volunteer! For Dragon.

Oh no, Mrs. Brisby!

Nicodemus, this is no job for her!

Please.

As you wish.

All right.

I'll meet you at the west

side of the farmhouse at dusk.

Thank you.

Oh I must be crazy.

Goodbye!

I must be crazy...

Excuse me... pardon me.

Jeremy?

Shhh! I'm being followed

Followed?

Shhh-hhh! There's a crazy lady with a hat!

She's got big teeth!

She tied me up! And then I... oh!

Ooooo! A sparkly!

What?

You're wearing a sparkly!

Can I hold? Oh, please, can I?

Jeremy, listen...

...I need lots and lots of string.

Stuh... ring...

To move the block!

Move... the block...

Hey! I got string! I've been saving 'em!

You do?

Oh sure, red ones, blue ones

- green, yellow

- Pay attention!

Go get all the string you can.

Ok.

But that'll take all day!

Good! Get going!

I just thought I'd mention in passing...

I've always wanted a sparkly of my very own.

Will you get going?

Sure!

Uh... Excuse me. Pardon me.

Bye!

It won't be long now.

She's washing the dishes.

Here's the powder.

Very.

Don't be.

You'll be ok.

I hope I haven't upset your plans.

Nonsense!

What makes you say that?

I thought I might have caused an argument.

Oh you mean Jenner.

No problem.

Justin?

I sincerly hope you make it to Thorn Valley.

We will.

Shh! Listen.

Mrs. Fitzgibbons is filling Dragon's bowl.

Get ready.

Oh my...

Better leave that cape.

Could get caught on something.

Here's the powder.

I don't think I can do this!

Yes you can!

Now take a deep breath.

Concentrate on the bowl.

Don't look at the door!

Steady...

Ok Dragon, I'm coming.

steady...

There we go.

Now! Now!

Coming, coming!

Get back!

Mom! Don't let the cat in yet

I've caught a mouse!

A mouse?

Can I keep it? Can I?

No, Billy. Put it outside.

Damn!

Aw Mom, please?

I can keep it in Porgy's old cage.

Oh... all right.

Come on, Dragon.

I'll have to come back for you later.

Rats, rats?

They'll be here any minute...

...to move our house over there by the stone!

Wrong!

...Actually move it!

Not while I'm keeping watch!

Auntie Shrew? I'm not afraid.

Afraid, child?

I have no fear of those great hulking beasts.

And should one of those hairy

barbarians come through that door...

Oh! The rats!

I'm coming, I'm coming, hold your horses.

Hello?

Who?

NIMH.

Oh! Oh yeah, NIMH!

Yes, yes, I know, you called about the rats...

Well, I don't know nothing about any special behavior

but the traps sure don't work...

In the morning?

Suits me fine...

Oh no, no, you can bulldoze that rosebush right outta there

I want those rats exterminated!

Uh, well, there's no... charge...?

Good. Ok,

well, I'll see you tomorrow then...

Uh-huh... bye-bye.

NIMH... They're coming here?

I must warn Justin!

Teresa!

Martin!

Auntie's afraid!

Pull on the end-haul.

Careful. Careful!

Easy does it...

Nicodemus is cooperating beautifully...

Jenner...

...he's standing in just the right spot!

Jenner, I... I can't do it!

When that block reaches midway, you cut the line.

I...

Don't get any ideas, my friend.

You're in this up to your neck!

Come on mates!

Put your backs into it!

Ready with the knife...

Ready...

Cut now!

- I... I...

- Now! Cut it!

Don't!

Ok, help.

We've got to hurry!

That's it.

Come on, come on!

We're coming!

Ok, I see him!

Nicodemus...

oh no!

No!

Friends...

we cannot move the Brisby home.

But we... we just can't leave it here

in the mud.

The equipment is a shambles.

Justin!

One day we shall journey to

Thorn Valley just as Nicodemus wanted...

but not now.

Justin!

Mrs... Brisby?

Come. Let us return to the rosebush.

Where we belong.

Oh, Mr. Ages!

What happened?

The children!

They... they're fine.

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