The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

In a peaceful meadow, far from the noise and bustle of any town, lived a humble country mouse in a cozy burrow beneath the roots of an old oak tree. His home was simple but comfortable, lined with soft grass and dried leaves that he had carefully gathered throughout the seasons.

The country mouse lived a quiet, predictable life. Each morning, he would venture out to gather seeds, nuts, and grains that had fallen from the trees or been left behind by farmers in the nearby fields. His meals were simple but nourishing—barley, wheat kernels, acorns, and wild berries that grew along the hedgerows.

Though his fare was plain, the country mouse was content with his lot. He enjoyed the fresh air, the songs of birds in the morning, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. He knew every inch of his territory and felt safe and secure in his familiar surroundings.

One day, as autumn was painting the leaves in brilliant colors, the country mouse received an unexpected visitor. His cousin, the city mouse, had traveled many miles from the grand metropolis to pay him a visit.

The city mouse was quite a sight to behold. His fur was sleek and well-groomed, and he wore a tiny collar that sparkled with what looked like real jewels. He carried himself with an air of sophistication and spoke with refined mannerisms that made the country mouse feel rather plain by comparison.

“My dear cousin!” exclaimed the city mouse, embracing his rural relative warmly. “How wonderful to see you again! It’s been far too long since we last met.”

The country mouse was delighted to see his cousin and immediately set about preparing the best meal he could offer. He brought out his finest stores: plump wheat grains, sweet acorns, dried berries, and a few special seeds he had been saving for a special occasion.

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” said the country mouse proudly. “I know it’s not much, but everything is fresh and wholesome. I gathered these wheat kernels just yesterday from the farmer’s field.”

The city mouse looked at the simple meal with barely concealed disappointment. He picked at the food politely but with obvious reluctance, taking tiny bites and making faces as if the plain fare was almost too humble for his refined palate.

“This is… quite rustic,” said the city mouse delicately, trying not to hurt his cousin’s feelings. “Very… natural. But my dear fellow, is this really how you live? Day after day eating such simple food?”

The country mouse felt a bit embarrassed but tried to remain positive. “Well, yes, I suppose it is simple. But it’s healthy and filling, and I never go hungry. I’m quite content with my life here.”

The city mouse shook his head in amazement. “Content? My poor cousin, you have no idea what you’re missing! You simply must come to the city with me and see how a mouse can truly live. I insist—you must be my guest and experience real luxury and fine dining!”

Though the country mouse was happy with his simple life, his curiosity was piqued by his cousin’s enthusiastic descriptions of city life. After much persuasion, he agreed to accompany the city mouse back to the metropolis for a visit.

The journey to the city was an adventure in itself. The country mouse had never traveled so far from home, and everything seemed strange and exciting. The roads grew wider and busier, the buildings taller and more numerous, and the sounds and smells completely different from anything he had ever experienced.

The city mouse lived in the basement of a grand mansion in the most fashionable district of the city. His home was situated near the kitchen of the wealthy family that owned the house, providing him with access to the most exquisite foods imaginable.

“Welcome to civilization!” announced the city mouse grandly as he led his cousin through a small crack in the wall into his domain. “Now you’ll see what real living is all about!”

The country mouse’s eyes widened in amazement as his cousin led him into the grand dining room of the mansion. The table was set with the finest china, crystal glasses, and silver cutlery. The remains of a lavish feast lay scattered across expensive plates—exotic cheeses, fine wines, delicate pastries, roasted meats, and elaborate desserts.

“Help yourself to anything you like!” said the city mouse proudly. “The family finished dinner hours ago, and the servants won’t clear the table until morning. We have the run of the place!”

The country mouse had never seen such luxury or tasted such rich, delicious food. The cheese was creamy and complex, the pastries were sweet and buttery, and everything had flavors he couldn’t have imagined. For the first time in his life, he began to understand what his cousin meant about fine living.

“This is incredible!” exclaimed the country mouse, nibbling on a piece of imported cheese. “I had no idea food could taste like this! How did you ever discover such wonderful things?”

The city mouse preened with pride. “This is just the beginning, my dear cousin. Tomorrow I’ll show you the pantry where they keep the most amazing delicacies. And wait until you taste the birthday cake they’re planning for next week!”

Just as the country mouse was beginning to think that perhaps his cousin was right about the superiority of city life, a terrifying sound echoed through the dining room. The thunderous barking of the family’s large guard dog shattered the peaceful evening as the animal came bounding into the room.

“Run!” shouted the city mouse, abandoning his meal and racing toward the nearest crack in the wall.

The country mouse, unfamiliar with the layout of the room and panicked by the enormous, snarling dog, stumbled and scrambled desperately to follow his cousin. The dog’s teeth snapped just inches from his tail as he dove into the safety of the wall passage.

Both mice huddled in the narrow space, breathing heavily and trembling with fear.

“What was that?” gasped the country mouse, his heart still pounding.

“Oh, that’s just Rex,” said the city mouse, trying to sound casual despite his obvious nervousness. “The family’s guard dog. He patrols the house at night looking for intruders like us. Don’t worry—he’s usually not that alert. Most nights we can finish our meal before he shows up.”

Before the country mouse could fully process this information, another danger appeared. The family’s cat, a sleek and skilled hunter, came prowling into the dining room with eyes that gleamed in the moonlight streaming through the windows.

“Now what?” whispered the country mouse in terror.

“That’s Duchess,” the city mouse replied quietly. “She’s actually more dangerous than the dog because she’s quieter and more patient. We’ll have to wait until she moves on to another room before we can come out.”

The two mice crouched in their hiding place for what felt like hours, listening to the cat’s soft footsteps as she stalked around the dining room, clearly aware that mice were somewhere nearby. Every few minutes, they could hear her pouncing on shadows or investigating suspicious sounds.

Finally, when the cat moved on to hunt in another part of the house, the city mouse cautiously emerged from their hiding place.

“All clear!” he whispered. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, you were enjoying the cheese. Come on, let’s finish our feast!”

But the country mouse had lost his appetite completely. The rich food that had tasted so wonderful just minutes earlier now seemed hardly worth the constant danger and fear that came with it.

“Is it always like this?” asked the country mouse nervously. “Always having to watch out for dogs and cats and who knows what other dangers?”

The city mouse shrugged as if mortal danger was just a minor inconvenience. “Well, yes, there are some risks involved in the finer things in life. But surely you agree that these delicious foods are worth a little excitement?”

The country mouse looked around the elegant dining room with its beautiful furnishings and exotic foods, then thought about his simple but peaceful home in the meadow. He thought about waking up to birdsong instead of barking dogs, and enjoying his simple meals without having to fear for his life.

“Thank you, cousin,” said the country mouse politely but firmly. “I’m very grateful for your hospitality, and the food here is certainly more luxurious than anything I’ve ever tasted. But I think I prefer my simple life in the country.”

The city mouse looked incredulous. “You’re going to give up all this luxury to go back to eating plain seeds and berries?”

“Yes,” replied the country mouse with growing certainty. “I’d rather eat simple food in peace than the finest delicacies in fear. What good is the most delicious meal if you can’t enjoy it because you’re constantly worried about being eaten yourself?”

The city mouse couldn’t understand his cousin’s choice, but he respected it. The next morning, he escorted the country mouse safely out of the city and back toward the peaceful countryside.

As the country mouse made his way home through the familiar fields and meadows, he felt his spirits lifting with every step. The simple sights and sounds of his rural home seemed more beautiful than ever after his frightening experience in the city.

When he finally reached his cozy burrow beneath the oak tree, he gathered some fresh seeds and sat down to enjoy a simple but peaceful meal. As he ate, he listened to the gentle sounds of the countryside and felt profoundly grateful for his safe, quiet life.

“I may not have the fanciest food,” he said to himself contentedly, “but I have something even more valuable—peace of mind and the ability to enjoy whatever I have without fear.”

From that day forward, the country mouse never again felt envious of those who seemed to have more luxurious lives. He had learned that true happiness comes not from having the finest things, but from being able to enjoy whatever you have in safety and peace.

Moral: It is better to enjoy simple pleasures in safety and peace than to live in luxury accompanied by constant fear and danger. True contentment comes from appreciating what you have, not from constantly seeking more at the risk of your well-being.