○1 Tucker lived in an abandoned drain pipe in the subway station at Times Square. Mario was tending his father’s newsstand. But there wasn’t much business tonight. All evening long he had sold only fifteen papers and four magazines. Suddenly, Tucker and Mario heard a strange and beautiful sound. Tucker had heard the rumble of subway trains, the shriek their iron wheels make, the thrumming of the rubber tires of automobiles, the hooting of their horns, the howling of their brakes, babble of voices, the barking of the dogs, birds, the pigeons, cats, and the high purring of airplanes. He had never heard a sound quite like this one.
○2 It was a cricket. Mario dusted him off with a Kleenex. He found a matchbox for the cricket. He was so happy and excited about his new pet. At first, Mom disagreed and asked Mario to throw it away. Finally, Mom agreed that Mario could keep the cricket in the newsstand.
○3 Tucker Mouse darted out across the floor and scooted up to the newsstand. Chester Cricket told Tucker how he got to New York. At the beginning, he smelled liverwurst, which he loved. Then, he jumped into the picnic basket and decided to had just a taste. However, he ate too much and fell asleep. Somebody had put a bag of beef sandwiches on top of Chester. He couldn’t move! He had been taken to New York. At last, he got so nervous he began to chirp.
○4 Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse showed Chester Cricket Times Square. Chester saw towers, neon signs, and the air was full of the roar of traffic and the hum of human beings. He made out a star that he knew was a star he used to look at back in Connecticut. To think the familiar thing made him feel better.
○5 Next morning, Mario came to feed Chester food and water. Chester knew it would take him a while to get used to city life. Mr. Smedley, a music teacher, told Mario a story about black Orpheus, the greatest musician who ever lived. The whole world was silent as Orpheus played on a harp. Maybe someday Chester will play as well. Then, Mario went to Chinatown to buy a house for Chester.
○6 Mario met Sai Fong in front of CHINESE NOVELTIES. Sai Fong showed Mario a special cricket cage in the shape of a pagoda. There were seven tiers to it, each one a little smaller than the one below, and it ended in a slender spire. Once cricket who belonged to Emperor of all China lived in this cage. Sai Fong also told Mario an ancient Chinese tale about cricket, Hsi Shuai. Finally, Mario bought the cage for Chester, and he found a piece of paper said “GOOD LUCK IS COMING YOUR WAY. BE READY.” in the fortune cookie.
○7 Tucker decided to sleep in the cricket cage. He asked bill dollars and Ma’s earring for his mattress, blanket, and pillow. Chester hopped into his matchbox. He had gotten to like the feeling of the Kleenex. It was almost like the spongy wood of his old tree stump—and felt much more like home than the cricket cage.
○8 Chester ate half of a two-dollar bill in his dream. Tucker figured out lots of ideas. First, eat the rest of it. Second, frame the janitor who cleans the station. Third, break the glass to make them think a thief came in the night. However, they forgot the time. Chester was caught red-handed by Mama Bellini. It was decided that Mario would have to replace the money. Then, Tucker mouse gave the money. When Mama Bellini had it, Mama Bellini had it—and Mama Bellini didn’t bother too much about where it came from.
○9 There was a problem with Chester’s diet, so Mario went to ask the cricket expert, Sai Fong. Sai Fong and his cricket expert figured out the answer in a book. Mulberry leaves were best for crickets. Crickets who eat leaves can spin beautiful song.
○10 Chester, Harry, and Tucker had a dinner party to celebrate the anniversary. In addition of eating, Harry sang, Chester chirped, and Tucker danced. Tucker threw himself into a wild twirl and he toppled over into the box of kitchen matches. Then, the matches caused the fire.
○11 Paul helped put out the fire. Mama thought Chester possibly start a fire. So, she wanted to throw Chester out. However, after Chester chirping, Mama said he could stay a while longer.
○12 Chester started with his formal musical education by Tucker. Then he could chirp operatic, symphonic, and popular music. Mr. Smedley implored every music lover not to miss one of his glorious—concerts!
○13  The music editor of The New York Times had Mr. Smedley’s letter printed on the theatrical and musical page of the paper. After that, Chester became a celerity. His concerts began at 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. But Chester wasn’t really happy. In the past, he would chirp because the mood was on him. And he wasn’t used to playing on schedule. Chester couldn’t get used to be staring at. Even someone tried to steal the silver bell. At last, something was decided in Chester’s mind.
○14  Chester had made up his mind. He was going to retire and go back to Connecticut. In his last recital, he chose the piece of the sextet from Loochy the Murmurer. Everyone was silent, so the piercing notes could be heard for miles.
○15  Chester gave Mario a private recital before leaving. And Chester wanted the silver bell to remember everything by. Maybe next summer Tucker and Harry could go to the country in Connecticut.