Whortle the fieldmouse is fired up. There is a major sports contest for all his kin, the prize the opportunity to become Head Sentry, able to stay perched on the deliciously golden stalks of barleycorn and keep watch over the meadow they call home. It's a prize of maturity, and although Whortle has recently come of age and been given his medallion to prove it, it will mean the little mouse will have to over-achieve in several sporting events - five from a menu of ten must be chosen before he can hope to win.