A Mouse from the city went on a
visit to a
friend in the country.
The country Mouse brought out the best he
had, and waited on his guest.
There was plenty of oatmeal
and peas, a
nice scrap of bacon, and even
a paring of
cheese for dessert. While the guest was din-
ing, the country Mouse, out
of politeness,
would eat none of these dainties, for fear there
should not be enough, but nibbled a piece of
straw to keep him company.
When the dinner was over, the city
Mouse
said: "Old friend, I thank you for your courte-
sy, but I must have a plain talk
with you.
I do not see how you can
bear to live this
poor life in this little hole.
Why not come
with me to the city, where
you will have
all sorts of good things to eat, and a gay time?
You are really wasting your life in this quiet
place. Come with me, and i will
show you
how fine the city is."
After being urged a long time, the country
Mouse at last agreed to go to the city that very
night. So they started off together, and
about
midnight came to a great house, where the city
Mouse lived. In the dining room was
spread
a rich feast; and the city Mouse, with many
airs and graces, ran about
the table, and,
picking out the nicest bits,
waited upon his
country friend, who, amazed at
the good
things, ate to his heart's content. All at once
the doors of the dining room were flung open,
and in came a crowd of people, laughing and
talking, and followed by a big dog, who bark-
ed loudly, and ran about the room. The Mice
rushed for the hole, to escape, and the little
field Mouse almost died of fright. As soon
as he was able to speak, he said:
"Well! if this
is city life, I have seen
enough of it. Stay in this
fine place if you
like. I shall be only too
glad to get home to
my quiet hole, and my plain
oatmeal and
peas."
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