The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Once upon a time, there was a little brown Mouse who lived in the countryside. He had a cozy hole under the roots of a big elm tree. His life was simple. He woke up when the sun rose. He ate wheat stalks, wild berries, and fresh roots. He drank crystal clear water from the stream. It was quiet, peaceful, and safe. One day, his cousin from the Town came to visit. The Town Mouse was very fancy. He wore a little silk vest and carried a walking stick. The Country Mouse was happy to see him. “Welcome, cousin!” he said. “Come, share my dinner.” He served what he had: dried beans, peas, and a crust of bread. The Town Mouse nibbled at it and wrinkled his nose. “Oh dear,” he said. “Cousin, how can you live like this? The food is so plain. The life is so boring. No music, no lights, no excitement. Come with me to the City! I live in a palace. You will eat like a King every day!”

The Country Mouse was curious. “Okay,” he said. “I will come.” They traveled to the big city. It was loud and bright. The carriages rattled by—Clatter! Clatter!—scaring the poor Country Mouse. They arrived at a grand mansion. The Town Mouse led the way through a small crack in the wall. “Look!” said the Town Mouse proudly. They were in a dining room. There had been a party, and the table was still full of leftovers. There were blocks of yellow cheese, sweet cakes with icing, jellies, and fine white bread. The Country Mouse’s eyes popped out. He had never seen such food. “Dig in!” said the Town Mouse. The Country Mouse took a bite of cheese. “It is delicious!” he cried. He reached for a piece of cake.

Suddenly—CREAK! The heavy wooden door swung open. Two huge dogs ran in, barking loudly. WOOF! WOOF! “Run!” squeaked the Town Mouse. They scurried across the tablecloth. The dogs chased them, snapping their jaws. The mice dived into a tiny, dusty mousehole just in time. The Country Mouse was shaking with fear. His heart beat like a drum. Thump-thump-thump. “That was close!” laughed the Town Mouse. “Wait until they leave, then we can have some jelly.”

They waited. Finally, the room was quiet. They crept out. Just as the Country Mouse touched the jelly, the door opened again. A giant human walked in with a broom. Swish! Swish! “A mouse!” screamed the human. “Run!” shouted the Town Mouse. They ran back to the hole, hungry and terrified.

The Country Mouse picked up his little bag. “Where are you going?” asked the Town Mouse. “We haven’t finished the feast!” “Goodbye, cousin,” said the Country Mouse firmly. “You are welcome to your rich life. You have fancy food, but you eat it in terror. You have a velvet bed, but you sleep with one eye open.” “I am going back to my roots and my beans. There, I can eat in peace and sleep without fear.” And with that, he ran all the way back to the country and never left again.

Moral of the Story: Better a simple meal in peace than a rich feast in fear. Contentment is true wealth.