THE CITY MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE.

One day a city mouse went to visit a country mouse. The country mouse lived in a field. The two mice ran about the field and had a happy time. At last the country mouse said, “We must have something to eat.” He gave the city mouse an ear of corn. This was enough for the country mouse. But the city mouse did not like it. So he said to the country mouse, “My friend! Is this all you have to eat? Come to the city and visit me. I live in a beautiful house. Come and see what good things I have to eat.” So the two mice set off for the city.

After a while they came to the house where the city mouse lived. Oh! What good things the city mouse set before the country mouse! She had bread and cheese and cake. “How good this is!” said the country mouse. “I wish I lived in the city.”

Just then a man came into the room. The mice jumped down and ran into a hole. “Do not be afraid,” said the city mouse. “The man can not find us.” By and by the man went away. Then the mice ran out of the hole and again began to eat.

Soon a cat came into the room. “The cat! The cat!” said the city mouse. Away ran the mice as fast as they could go. Poor little country mouse! She said to the city mouse, “Good-by, my friend, I am going home. In the country I am not afraid. You have a beautiful house and good things to eat. But I like my corn better than your cake.”