The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Aesop

One bright morning in the peaceful countryside, a humble little Country Mouse busily scampered about, collecting grains and seeds from the field. His life was simple, but he enjoyed the fresh air, the scent of the grass, and the quiet beauty of nature. As he returned to his cozy little burrow with a bundle of food, he heard a rustling sound behind him.
"Well, well, well! Is this where you’ve been hiding all these years?" came a smooth, slightly sarcastic voice.
The Country Mouse spun around and his face lit up with surprise and joy. Standing there, looking sleek and polished in his fine coat of fur, was his old friend, the Town Mouse.
"Town Mouse! What a surprise! It's been so long," the Country Mouse squeaked with excitement, scurrying over to greet his friend. "Please, come in! You must be tired from your journey."
The Town Mouse twitched his whiskers and looked around with a slightly raised eyebrow as he followed his friend into the small, earthy burrow. Inside, the Country Mouse set down his bundle of food, carefully preparing a simple meal. He offered his guest some seeds, fresh grains, and a few nuts.
"This is all I have," the Country Mouse said with a warm smile. "But it’s fresh and good."
The Town Mouse glanced at the humble offerings, his nose twitching slightly in disdain. "Oh, my dear friend," he said, trying to be polite but unable to hide his disappointment. "This is... nice, I suppose, but in the town, we eat like kings. There are feasts every day! Cheese, bread, cakes – everything you could dream of. You simply must come visit me and see what life is like in the town."
The Country Mouse looked at his friend with wide eyes. He had never imagined such luxuries. "Really? That sounds amazing," he said, curiosity and excitement bubbling inside him. "I’ve never been to the town. Maybe I should visit."
The Town Mouse’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Then it’s settled! You’ll come with me and I’ll show you the life you’ve been missing."
The next day, the two mice set off for the town. The Country Mouse marveled at everything he saw along the way – the tall buildings, the busy streets, the people bustling about. It was a far cry from his quiet fields. But when they arrived at the grand house where the Town Mouse lived, the Country Mouse was truly amazed.
They sneaked into the kitchen, which was filled with the most delicious smells. There were loaves of freshly baked bread, wedges of cheese, pastries, and fruits of every kind. The Town Mouse led his friend to a large dining table, piled high with food.
"Help yourself!" the Town Mouse said with a grin, hopping up to a plate of cheese. "Isn’t this better than those dry seeds and grains?"
The Country Mouse’s eyes widened. He had never seen so much food in his life. He nibbled on some cheese, his little heart racing with excitement. "It’s incredible!" he said, feeling like he was in a dream. "I’ve never tasted anything so rich!"
But just as the two mice were beginning to enjoy their feast, they heard a loud clatter. The kitchen door creaked open, and the mice froze in place. A human had entered the room, and with him, a large cat slinked in, its eyes narrowing as it spotted the two mice.
The Country Mouse’s heart pounded in his chest. "What... what do we do?" he whispered, trembling.
"Run!" the Town Mouse squeaked, already darting toward a small hole in the wall.
The Country Mouse, shaking with fear, followed his friend as fast as his legs could carry him. They barely escaped the sharp claws of the cat, who swiped at them with a hiss. The mice dived into the hole, panting and shaking.
The Town Mouse, trying to catch his breath, laughed nervously. "Just a little excitement! Happens all the time."
But the Country Mouse was not laughing. His heart was still racing, and his fur was on edge. "Excitement? That was terrifying!" he squeaked, his voice trembling. "How do you live like this?"
The Town Mouse shrugged, adjusting his fur. "You get used to it. The food is worth it."
The Country Mouse looked out at the lavish dining room, now empty again, and then back at the small hole where they had hidden. His simple life in the countryside flashed before his eyes – the quiet, the safety, the peace.
"I don’t think I can live like this," the Country Mouse said softly, shaking his head. "All the fine food in the world isn’t worth living in fear every day."
The Town Mouse blinked, surprised by his friend’s words. "But... but look at all this!" he said, gesturing toward the grand kitchen. "This is luxury!"
The Country Mouse smiled sadly. "It may be luxury, but I’d rather have my little home and simple meals in peace than live with all this danger. I think I’ll head back to the country."
And with that, the Country Mouse turned and left, making his way back to the quiet fields where he knew he belonged.
As he scampered through the familiar grass and felt the cool breeze on his fur, the Country Mouse smiled to himself. He realized that happiness wasn’t about having the best food or the fanciest home. It was about being safe, content, and at peace with the life you choose.