The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Country Mouse lived in a log, beside a stream, beside a frog. She ate her seeds and berries slow, and watched the gentle breezes blow.

"Come to town!" said her cousin one day. "The food is grand! You cannot stay living out here with acorns and hay. Come see the city! Come away!"

So off they went down the winding road, through the meadow past the toad, over the bridge and past the mill, up the cobblestone hill--

And there it was! The city bright! Buildings tall and lantern light! Carriages racing, people calling, market stalls with awnings sprawling!

Into a grand house, under the door, across the tiles of a marble floor-- "Look!" cried Town Mouse. "Cakes and cheese! Pudding, pastry--eat what you please!"

Country Mouse took one little bite-- oh, the flavors! What a delight! Cream and sugar, jams and bread--

CRASH!

A cat leaped down from overhead! Run! Scurry! Hide! Squeeze through the wall! Hearts were pounding, mice were small.

"Is it gone?" "I think so. Come, there's more." They crept back out across the floor.

Country Mouse reached for a plum so sweet--

SNAP!

A trap came down beside her feet! Run again! Quick! Through the crack! Shaking, trembling, pressed flat back.

Country Mouse said, "Cousin, no. I thank you kindly, but I must go. Your cakes are fine, your cheese is grand, but I can't eat with fear close at hand."

Back down the road, back past the mill, back through the meadow, quiet and still.

Country Mouse sat by her log once more, ate a berry, watched the stream before her door. No cakes. No cream. No fancy feast. But no cats, no traps-- and a heart at peace.

Better a meal of seeds and hay, eaten slowly, safe all day, than all the riches of a golden town where danger waits to knock you down.