The World According to Humphrey

The next day, some surprise visitors arrive at the Thomas’ house: Garth and Mr. Tugwell. Mrs. Brisbane suggested Garth come to A.J.’s house so that he can spend time with Humphrey. A.J. is taken aback, and the two boys clean Humphrey’s cage in silence—until they get to his bathroom corner and start to laugh. After this, they seem to be friends again. A.J. teaches Garth Crazy Eights.

While Mr. Thomas sweeps the house to give his wife a break, he discovers that the television has been unplugged. When he discovers that it still works, Mrs. Thomas suggests that they keep it unplugged for a couple more days. They giggle, and Humphrey enjoys a nap in the silence.

Things are smoother in class now that A.J. and Garth are getting along. The biggest change is in Sayeh: She now speaks in class regularly. Miranda invites Sayeh to accompany her and her mother to a musical. Mrs. Brisbane begins reading a novel to the class about warrior mice, no bigger than Humphrey. Humphrey is enraptured with the story.

Humphrey goes home that weekend with Richie Rinaldi, Aldo’s nephew. His house is crowded with uncles, aunts, cousins, and other family members. While he is there, Aldo visits, bringing Maria with him to meet the family for the first time. Aldo introduces her to Humphrey; he says that the hamster is one of his very best friends. She is delighted, as is Humphrey.

Humphrey’s happiness is toppled on Monday when Mrs. Brisbane announces that Humphrey will need a home for four days over Thanksgiving break. None of the students raise their hand; all of them have big plans over the break and cannot take Humphrey with them. In the end, Mrs. Brisbane decides to take him. Humphrey is worried that he will not come back from the visit. 

On the silent car ride to Mrs. Brisbane’s house, Humphrey reflects on the last few months. Everyone he has stayed with had been gracious and kind (except for Clem), and in return, he had “lent them a helping paw here and there” (102). He believes he is “overdue for trouble” at “Brisbane’s House of Horrors” (102).

Mrs. Brisbane complains that she needs him like a hole in the head. Her husband, Bert, is not going to be happy. Bert is in a wheelchair and wears tan pajamas. He complains that for Mrs. Brisbane’s pay, they should not force her to spend her weekend “baby-sitting a rat” (103).

Things are quiet for a while. Mrs. Brisbane changes into jeans and reads the Guide to the Care and Feeding of Hamsters and concludes that her students have done a good job taking care of Humphrey. The Brisbanes hardly speak for the rest of the day.

The next day, while Mrs. Brisbane cooks Thanksgiving dinner, Mr. Brisbane just sits in the living room, scowling. Humphrey runs on his wheel, trying to distract himself from Bert’s sour attitude. Bert tells Mrs. Brisbane that he feels like Humphrey, spinning in place, going nowhere.

To Humphrey’s surprise, Mrs. Brisbane tells him that Humphrey goes places and does things. She tells her husband, “You’re the one spinning your wheels and going nowhere. You’re stuck in a cage, but it’s a cage you made!” (106). Bert is shocked too. Mrs. Brisbane tells him that he is alive, despite the accident, but he does not act like it.

Over dinner, Bert compliments his wife’s cooking. Humphrey learns that they have a son who recently moved to Tokyo. That night, he hears Mrs. Brisbane apologize for being hard on him, but she tells him that he needs to think of what he is going to do with his life. He does not answer.

The next day, Mrs. Brisbane goes shopping, and Humphrey is home alone with “old sourpuss” (108). He is not happy to be spending the day with a sad and grouchy old man. Humphrey comes up with a plan. When Mr. Brisbane’s back is turned, Humphrey escapes from his cage. He squeaks in the middle of the room to get his attention. Humphrey lets him chase him all around the house, trying to catch him in a baseball cap. Bert hunts him around for a while. By the time Humphrey lets himself be captured, Mr. Brisbane looks livelier than ever.

By the time Mrs. Brisbane returns, Bert is in high spirits. He tells her about what happened. Humphrey made him realize that there are still things he can do. He asks Mrs. Brisbane to play gin rummy with him. She is speechless but delighted. When he wheels off to go get cards, she quietly thanks Humphrey.

The next day, Bert builds an obstacle course for Humphrey. He and Mrs. Brisbane time Humphrey as he makes his way around the course. Humphrey has a wonderful time. The Brisbanes invite their neighbors over on Sunday to watch. Mr. Robinson is happy to see Mr. Brisbane acting chipper.

On Monday morning, Mr. Brisbane is disappointed that Humphrey must go back to the class. Mrs. Brisbane says he can stay with them over winter break. Humphrey is delighted: This Mrs. Brisbane likes him. 

December and the holidays arrive. Mrs. Brisbane brings Humphrey back home once in a while to entertain her husband. One night, Aldo tells him that he is planning to buy an engagement ring. He is going to propose to Maria and asks Humphrey’s opinion. Humphrey stands up and squeaks in affirmation. Aldo is delighted and says he will do it.

The class prepares for the holiday party. Garth asks if he can take Humphrey home over the holidays since his mother is doing better. Mrs. Brisbane says that he can visit Humphrey at her house, and then he can take him the first weekend in January.

During the last day of class, Mrs. Brisbane says that she has a surprise for Humphrey. Mr. Brisbane wheels it in: a playground extension for his cage. Humphrey is delighted. He can keep his homey cage with the faulty lock and have more room to play. Mr. Brisbane instructs the children as they assemble the new addition.

Mr. Morales enters. Mrs. Brisbane tells him that her husband has started teaching arts and crafts at the Community center. He comments that Mr. Brisbane has made a new start; Mrs. Brisbane says, “Thanks to Humphrey” (118). Humphrey thinks that her words are the best present he could ask for.

During the holiday party, Miranda and Sayeh give out small toy hamsters to their classmates. Mr. Morales returns with the biggest surprise of all: Ms. Mac is back. Humphrey is speechless. She tells the class about her travels and finally comes to see Humphrey. Ms. Mac gives Humphrey a brand-new notebook and pencil. She tells him that he is still the handsomest creature she has seen. She promises to visit him again. Humphrey realizes something: Though he loves Ms. Mac, she does not need him the way that the students and the Brisbanes do. He belongs here.

The bell rings and the last day of school is over. In the parking lot, Aldo, who came to pick up Richie, announces that he and Maria are engaged. Humphrey squeaks in delight; Aldo leans in and thanks him. That night, Jason Brisbane arrives. He flew all the way from Tokyo to surprise his parents. The house is full of warmth and celebration.

Later that night, Humphrey reflects on his experiences since leaving Pet-O-Rama. The biggest lesson he has learned is that “one small hamster really can make a big difference” (122). He fills the last line in his notebook by writing, “JOY-JOY-JOY to the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! (And that includes YOU!)” (122).