The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Part One · In the Country

Country Mouse lived in a little hole under a hedge. Beside the hedge was a field of wheat.

One day, his cousin came to visit. Town Mouse wore a fancy coat and a shiny hat.

"Welcome!" said Country Mouse. He gave his cousin the best food he had. There were beans, barley, and a dry crust of bread.

Town Mouse nibbled one bean. He wrinkled up his nose. "Is this really all you eat, cousin?"

"Come to the town with me," said Town Mouse. "I will show you what good food is!"

Part Two · In the Town

So off they went together. They walked all day long. They reached the town at night.

Town Mouse lived in a grand house. They tiptoed into the dining room. The table was covered with food!

There was cake and cheese. There were cherries and jelly and sweet little cookies.

"Help yourself!" said Town Mouse. Country Mouse had never seen a feast like it. He took a big bite of cake.

Just then, the door creaked open. In came a huge cat with yellow eyes!

"Run!" squeaked Town Mouse. The two mice jumped off the table. They raced into a tiny hole in the wall.

They waited and waited. Their hearts went thump, thump, thump. At last the cat walked away.

The mice crept back to the table. Country Mouse picked up a cookie. Then he heard barking!

Two big dogs came bounding into the room. Back into the hole the mice ran again.

Country Mouse sat in the dark hole. He was shaking from his ears to his tail.

"Goodbye, cousin," he said. "You may keep your cake and cheese. I am going home."

Then Country Mouse said something very wise. "Plain food in peace is better than cake in fear."

Away he scampered, back to his cozy hole. That evening he ate beans. Then he slept wonderfully well.