The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

A country mouse, proud of his simple life, invited his city cousin to visit and shared what modest food he had — plain grains and dried peas, offered warmly and without complaint. The city mouse, though grateful, could not help remarking how poor and dull such a meal seemed compared to what he enjoyed back home.

Determined to show his cousin real luxury, the city mouse invited him back to his own home in a grand house, where they feasted on rich cheeses, cakes, and fine food left over from a banquet. The country mouse was dazzled — until, mid-feast, a door swung open and a large house cat burst in chasing them, sending both mice fleeing in terror to hide inside the walls.

Once the danger passed, the country mouse, still trembling, gathered his things to leave. "Your food is finer than mine," he told his cousin, "but I would rather eat plain grain in peace than dine on feasts while living in constant fear."