The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
A Town Mouse visits her cousin in the country and invites her to a grand city feast. But a mewing Cat, the servants and the House Dog send the Country Mouse hurrying home to her simple, peaceful life.
Scene 1: Lunch in the Country
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. A Town Mouse once visited her cousin, who lived in the country. For lunch, the Country Mouse served wheat stalks, roots, and acorns, with a dash of cold water to drink. The Town Mouse nibbled only a little of this and a little of that. She ate the simple food only to be polite.
Scene 2: Dreams of the City
After lunch, the Town Mouse talked and talked about her life in the city, while the Country Mouse listened. That night, they slept in a cozy nest in the hedgerow. The Country Mouse dreamed of all the treats and delights of city life. The next morning, the Town Mouse said: “Come home with me, and you shall have a share of my dainties.” The Country Mouse gladly said yes.
Scene 3: The Grand Dining Room
At last, they reached the mansion where the Town Mouse lived. On the dining room table, they found what was left of a very fine feast. There were sweets and jellies, pastries, and delicious cheeses. The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it!
Scene 4: A Mew at the Door
The Country Mouse was about to nibble a bit of pastry. Just then, a Cat mewed loudly and scratched at the door! In great fear, the mice scurried to a hiding place. They lay quite still, hardly daring to breathe. At last, they crept back to the feast. But the door opened suddenly! In came the servants to clear the table, followed by the House Dog.
Scene 5: Home in Peace
The Country Mouse stopped only long enough to pick up her carpet bag and umbrella. As she hurried away, she said: “You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not. But I prefer my plain food and simple life in the country, with the peace and safety that go with it.” Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.
Moral: Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.
Questions about The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
What did the Country Mouse serve for lunch?
Wheat stalks, roots, and acorns.
Where did the two mice sleep that night?
In a cozy nest in the hedgerow.
What did the mice find on the dining room table in the city?
What was left of a very fine feast.
Who mewed loudly and scratched at the door?
A Cat.
What did the Country Mouse pick up before she hurried home?
Her carpet bag and umbrella.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.