Aesop's Fables

the town mouse and_the country mouse

now you_must know that a town mouse once upon a time went on a visit to_his cousin in_the country . he_was rough and ready, this cousin, but he loved his town friend and made him heartily welcome .Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had to offer, but he offered them freely . the town mouse rather turned up his long nose at_this country fare, and said: ` I_cannot understand, cousin, how you_can put up with_such poor food as_this, but of_course you_cannot expect anything better in_the country; come you with me and_I_will show you how to live . when you_have_been in town a week you_will wonder how you_could ever have stood a country life .' no sooner said than done: the two mice set off for_the town and arrived at_the town mouse's residence late at night .` you_will want some refreshment after our long journey,' said the polite town mouse, and took his friend into_the grand dining- room . there they found the remains of a fine feast, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies and cakes and all that was nice . suddenly they heard growling and barking .` what_is that ? ' said the country mouse .` it_is only the dogs of_the house,' answered the other .` only ! ' said the country mouse .` I_do_not like that music at my dinner .' just at_that moment the door flew open, in came two huge mastiffs, and_the two mice had to scamper down and run off .` good-bye, cousin,' said the country mouse, ` what ! going so soon ? ' said the other .` yes,' he replied;

` better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear .'