There was once a country mouse who lived in a nest under a hedge. Every day she scuttled about the fields collecting grains of corn. Sometimes, if she was feeling a little braver than usual, she crept into a nearby garden for a tasty treat. Quite often she found bits of cheese rind in the compost heap, or crusts of bread which had been thrown on to the lawn for the birds.
One day she was visited by her cousin the town mouse. "O cousin," she squeaked. "What a lovely surprise. I have such a quiet life here in the country that I always look forward to seeing you again. I could happily listen all day to your stories about life in town. Do sit down and tell me what’s been happening."
"Well, I hardly know where to begin," replied the town mouse. "I have so many adventures and eat so many wonderful feasts..."
"A feast is exactly what I’m going to give you now," interrupted the country mouse. "I found some very tasty cheese rinds this morning," she said proudly.
The town mouse could hardly believe her ears. She squeaked with laughter as she watched the table being laid.
"My poor cousin," she said. "What a dreary life you must lead. If cheese rinds is the best you can offer, I think I’ll go home right now. Why don’t you come and stay with me for a while? Everything is so exciting in town."
And, after some thought, the country mouse agreed to go with her.
It was a long and frightening journey to the town mouse’s home. When they reached the town they kept to the back streets as much as possible, but there were still an awful lot of people around - and even worse, and awful lot of cats.
The poor country mouse was shaking with fear by the time they reached the house where her cousin lived. "I don’t think I should have come," she whispered as they tip-toed into the huge kitchen.
"You’ll soon change your mind," replied her cousin cheerfully. "Just look what’s in here."
The country mouse looked up - and there above her was a table laden with food. It was such a wonderful sight that she immediately forgot all her fears. "I’ve never seen so many goodies," she sighed happily.
"And we’ve got the pick of them all," said her cousin. "Now, sit yourself down and I’ll bring you the most delicious feast you’ve ever had."
A few minutes later the two mice had an enormous pile of chocolate in front of them. But before they could take a single nibble, the door swung open and a big tabby cat burst into the room.
They almost flew to the town mouse’s hole in the skirting board. And even then, they only just missed being crushed by the cat’s great paw.
"It’s all part of the excitement of living in town," chuckled the town mouse.
"Well, it’s the sort of excitement I can do without," replied her cousin. "My life may be dull, but at least it’s safe. As soon as the coast is clear, I’m going back to the country - and I’m staying there for good."
Story Time � 1984-1989 by Rubicon Press CC