The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Two Mouse Cousins

Once there were two mice. They were cousins. One lived in the quiet country. One lived in the busy town.

One day, the Town Mouse came to visit. The Country Mouse was so happy! "Welcome, cousin!" he said. "Come and eat with me."

He gave his cousin his very best food. There were beans. There was corn. There were little seeds and a fresh, crunchy nut.

The Town Mouse nibbled a bit. He wrinkled his nose. "Is this all you eat?" he said. "Oh dear. In the town, we eat much, much better. Come and see!"

So the Country Mouse said, "All right, cousin. I will come and see your town."

Off to the Big Town

They walked a long, long way. At last they came to a great big house in the town.

The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it! There were soft red carpets. There were tall chairs. And on the big table — oh my! — there was a feast.

There was cheese. There was cake. There was bread and jam and sweet, juicy grapes. The Country Mouse's tummy rumbled. Grumble, grumble.

"Come on up!" said the Town Mouse. "Eat as much as you like!"

The two mice climbed onto the table. The Country Mouse took a bite of cake. Mmm! It was the best thing he had ever tasted.

Run, Mouse, Run!

But just then — MEOW!

A big cat came running. Its claws went scritch-scratch on the floor.

"Run!" squeaked the Town Mouse. The two mice jumped down and ran into a tiny hole in the wall. They sat there, hearts going thump, thump, thump, until the cat went away.

"Phew," said the Town Mouse. "Now let's go back and eat."

They crept out again. But before the Country Mouse could take one bite — BANG! The big door opened. A dog ran in, barking loudly. Woof! Woof!

"Run again!" cried the Town Mouse. And away they ran, back to the little hole.

Home Sweet Home

The Country Mouse was shaking. "Cousin," he said, "your food is very nice. But I do not like all this running and hiding! My tummy hurts from being so scared."

The Town Mouse just shrugged. "You get used to it," he said.

But the Country Mouse shook his head. "Not me. I would rather eat my simple beans in peace than eat cake and be afraid all day."

So he said goodbye to his cousin. He walked the long way home, back to the quiet green country.

That night, he ate his beans and his little nut. No cat. No dog. No fright. Just soft, quiet stars and his own cosy bed.

"This is the home for me," he said happily. And he slept very, very well.

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The moral: A simple, safe home in peace is better than a fancy one full of worry. Be glad for what you have.

Want more read-along tales? Try The Lion and the Mouse or The Tortoise and the Hare next.