The Town Mouse And The Country Mouse |
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The Town Mouse And The Country Mouse
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;
[See Country and Town Mice: The country mouse visiting the town mouse.]
"Better Beans And Bacon In Peace Than Cakes And Ale In Fear."
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