Akiko Miyakoshi – illustratör

As Momo nervously waits for her first piano recital, she tells herself, 'I'll be okay... I'll be okay...' Then she hears a voice nearby, also saying, 'I'll be okay... I'll be okay...' It's a mouseling, who's nervous about her first performance, too. The mouseling invites Momo through a small door backstage, where Momo is amazed to find a miniature theatre filled with an audience of finely dressed mice! When it's the mouseling's turn, Momo agrees to accompany her on piano. The mouse audience is so appreciative! But then, as she rises to take her bow, Momo is surprised to discover - it isn't a mouse audience at all!

People from all over the world come and go at the innkeeper's little hotel. He enjoys meeting them, and many even become his friends. Only, sometimes, when he goes to sleep at night, the desire to travel far away himself wells up inside him. He dreams of packing a big bag and journeying wherever he pleases, from one unfamiliar town to another. He imagines stopping to visit friends and having wonderful and unexpected experiences. The innkeeper continues to go about his daily routine at his hotel, but, someday, he is sure, he will explore the world.