II. TALES

THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE

Once upon a time a city mouse visited his cousin in the country. The country mouse shared his simple but wholesome food. Peas, barley, corn, tasty roots were stored in the mouse's home in the field — and another store of food in the big farmer's barn — for when it rained.

"I find the country-side charming," the city mouse said to this open-hearted cousin, "but your food is so plain, and your home quite dreary."

"Do come to the city and live with me; we shall play in my luxurious home — and will have a banquet each day — all the delicacies your heart desires."

So they left the blossoming green country-side to the busy, yes, even frightening city. The noise, the traffic, the hurrying, bustling crowds jostling each other was almost too much for the simple country mouse.

"Here we are at last," said the sophisticated city mouse as they entered into a huge towering mansion.

The house was elegant... chandeliers, deep carpets, plush furniture — and a pantry that was full of the very best food ever seen. Swiss cheese, salty bacon, delicious fruits, colorful vegetables, jellies and fresh bisquits — all were there, ready to eat.

Hungry from their long journey, the city mouse and the country mouse began their feast, tasting one mouth-watering bit of food after another.

Suddenly a heavy door slammed, loud footsteps of big boots were heard — the threatening deep purr of an angry cat chilled the air.

"What was that?" the country mouse stuttered.

"Oh, that is the master with his big Siamese cat."

"Good-bye, cousin," the country mouse squealed as he leaped through the hole in the pantry wall. "I'm going back to the meadow in the country. I prefer to live with the woods, the tall mountains and the fresh gurgling streams rather than in your exciting city."