aesop's fables

"❁the town mouse and the country mouse

a country mouse, who had a friend in town, invited him, for old acquaintance's sake, to pay him a visit in the country. the invitation was accepted, and the country mouse, though plain, rough, and somewhat frugal in his nature, opened his heart in honor of hospitality to an old friend. there was not a carefully stored-up morsel that he did not bring forth out of his storage. peas and barley, cheese-parings and nuts were strewn across the tabletop, hoping by quantity to make up what he feared lacked in quality, to suit the palate of his dainty guest.

the town mouse picked a bit here and a bit there, while the host sat nibbling a blade of barley-straw. at last the town mouse exclaimed, "how is it, my good friend, that you can endure the dullness of this unpolished life? you are living like a toad in a hole. you can't really prefer these solitary rocks and woods to streets flowing with carriages and men. on my honor, you are wasting your time miserably here. we must make the most of life while it lasts. a mouse, you know, does not live forever. so come with me and I'll show you life and the town."

overpowered with such fine words and so polished a manner, the country mouse decided to try out the city, and so they set out together on their journey to town. it was late in the evening when they crept stealthily into the city, and midnight ere they reached the great house where the town mouse took up his quarters.

here were couches of crimson velvet, carvings in ivory; everything, in short, that denoted wealth and luxury. on the table were the remains of a splendid banquet, explaining without words why all the high-end shops in the town had been picked clean the day before.

it was now the turn of the wealthier mouse to play the host; he runs to and fro to supply all that the country mouse wants, supplies dish upon dish and napkin upon napkin, and as though he were waiting on a king, tastes every course to make sure it is not poisoned before he runs to place it before his rustic cousin. the country mouse, for his part, affects to make himself quite at home, and blesses the good fortune that had made such a change in his way of life.

in the midst of his enjoyment, as he is thinking with contempt of the poor fare he has forsaken, the door suddenly flies open and a party of guests, returning from a late entertainment, bursts into the room. the frightened friends jump from the table in the greatest of disgust and hide themselves in the first corner they can reach. no sooner do they venture to creep out again than the barking of dogs drives them back in still greater terror than before.

at length, when things seemed quiet, the country mouse stole out from his hiding place and, bidding his friend good-bye, whispered in his ear; "oh, my friend, this fine way of living may do for those who like it; but give me my barley-bread in peace and security before the daintiest feast where fear lies in waiting."

less enjoyment in safety is better than more enjoyment in danger.