THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE

In which we see that comfort in safety is better than luxury in fear.

Brownie was a little mouse who lived in the country. His home was an old hollow log, but it seemed a mansion to Brownie who was happy all day long playing in the woods and green fields.

Now Brownie had a cousin named Ringtail who lived in the city and one day he came out to see Brownie. They went for a long walk through the woods and came home just in time for dinner. Brownie was afraid there would not be enough for two, so he only nibbled on an acorn while Ringtail had green peas, an ear of corn, and a big red apple. But much to Brownie’s surprise he did not seem to enjoy his dinner, and when he had finished the city mouse said:

“My cousin, how can you live in this stupid place, with nothing to eat, and nothing to see but woods and bare fields? Come with me to my home in the city and I will show you what real life is. When once you see my beautiful home you will never be content to live in this place again.”

So Brownie went with his cousin. It was night when they reached the huge house in whose garret Ringtail made his home. The city mouse then showed his country cousin what a nice bed he had out of some old clothes that had been put in a chest. He then led him to the pantry and showed him the cold meats, and cheese, and the bread that were on the shelves. “Now, this is what I call real life,” said Ringtail. “Come, let us go into the dining-room where we will eat.”

They then slipped through a crack in the door and found themselves in the dining-room. On the table they found cake and fruit and were preparing to make a feast when suddenly the door opened and in walked the cook. The mice jumped off the table and ran into a hole in the floor. Poor little Brownie was so frightened that he could almost hear his heart beat.

But finally their hunger conquered fear, and when everything grew quiet again they slipped into the kitchen. There they found a bowl of fresh cheese and were helping themselves to it when they saw two great bright eyes near them.

“Run, cousin! Run!” cried Ringtail. “It is the cat!”

Brownie needed no second warning, and they ran as fast as their little legs could carry them. When they reached a safe distance Brownie found his voice and said:

“Good-by, cousin! I’m going back home. If living in fear is what you call real life I do not care to know it. I prefer my quiet home where the birds sing while I eat my corn and apples to your beautiful home with its cake and dangers.”