The Heart of Oak Books (Book 2)
The city mouse lives in a house the garden mouse lives in a bower he's friendly with the frogs and toads and sees the pretty plants in flower the city mouse eats bread and cheese the garden mouse eats what he can we will not grudge him seeds and stocks poor little timid furry man A field mouse had a friend who lived in a house in town. Now the town mouse was asked by the field mouse to dine with him, and out he went and sat down for a meal of corn and wheat. "Do you know my friend, said he "that you live a mere ant's life out here? Why I have all kinds of things at home; come, and enjoy them." So the two set off for town, and there the town mouse showed his beans and meal, his dates too, his cheese and fruit and honey. And as the field mouse ate, drank and was merry, he thought how rich his friend was and how poor he was. but as they ate, a man all at once opened the door and the mice were in such a fear that they ran into a crack. Then, when they would eat some nice figs, in came a maid to get a pot of honey or a bit of cheese, and when they saw her, they hid in a hole. Then the field mouse would eat no more, but said to the town mouse:"do as you like my good friend, eat all you want, have your fill of good things, but you are always in fear of your life. As for me, poor mouse, who have only corn and wheat. I will live on at home, in no fear of any one."
Charles Elliot Norton
Google Books
D. C. Heath and Company
1903
English
Verse
55
Pages 25-26
Fireside Stories
the city mouse went to visit the country mouse. The city mouse wore a high collar, a sillk hat, patent leather shoes and a beautiful light suit. The country mouse was barefoot and had only a pair of trousers with one suspender. The country mouse was glad to see the city mouse. He brought in an ear of corn and an apple for dinner. Now the city mouse was used to having angel-food cake, ice cream, plum pudding, and many other nice things. So he ate very little. The country mouse asked why he did not eat. The city mouse said "excuse me, but if you will come and live in the city you will soon know. there you can get the very best food." The country mouse was much pleased, they went to the city that very day. The country mouse saw all the sights and then went home to dinner with the city mouse. The city mouse showed the country mouse a large mince pie. Just as they began to eat, a cat came springing at them. They both ran into a hole in a hurry. The country mouse couldn't get his breath for ten minutes. By and by they crept and looked about. But the cook threw a stick of wood at them, and took the pie away. The next thing they tried was a piece of cheese, but they saw just in time that it was a trap. The country mouse went home without anything to eat. he thought he would rather eat poor food than be frightened so much.
Annie Klingensmith
Carlson Fable Collection
A. Flanagan Company
1923
Dorothy Dulin
English
51
48-50
Aesop's Fables
Once upon a time a country mouse who had a friend in town invited him to pay him a visit in the country. The Country mouse gave his old friend the best he had, peas and barley, cheese-parings and nuts. The town mouse, pikcing here a bit there, while the host sat nibbling a blade of barley-straw, at length exclaimed "how is it, my good friend, that you can endure the dullness of this life. You are living like a toad in a hole. Come with me and I'll show you life and the town." The country mouse assented; and they set out togetehr on their journey to town. it was midnight ere they reached the great house where the town mouse took up his quarters. On the table were the remains of a splendid banquet. The town mouse pressed dish upon dish and dainty upon dainty on the country mouse. In the midst of his enjoyment, the door flew open and a party of revelers burst into the room. The mice jumped from the table and hid themselves in the first corner they could reach. No sooner had they ventured to creep out again than the barking of dogs drove them back in still greater terror than before. At length, when things seemed quiet, the country mouse stole out from his hiding place and bidding his friend good-by, whistered in his ear "Oh my good sir, this fine mode of living may do for those who like it; but give me my barley bread in peace and security before the daintiest feast where fear and care are in waiting."
Edited by William Thomas Stead
Carlson Fables Collection
The Palmer Company
1911
Illustrator Unknown
English
50
20-21
Tales of Laughter
ONCE upon a time a Town Mouse met a Country Mouse on the outskirts of a wood. The Country Mouse was sitting under a hazel thicket plucking nuts. " Busy harvesting, I see," said the Town Mouse. " Who would think of our meeting in this out-of-the-way part of the world ?" " Just so," said the Country Mouse. " You are gathering nuts for your winter store ? " said the Town Mouse. " I am obliged to do so if we intend having anything to live upon during the winter/' said the Country Mouse. " The husk is big and the nut full this year, enough to satisfy any hungry body," said the Town Mouse. " Yes, you are right there," said the Country Mouse ; and then she related how well she lived and how comfortable she was at home. The Town Mouse maintained that she was the better off, but the Country Mouse said that nowhere could one be so well off as in the woods and hills. The Town Mouse, however, declared she was best off; and as they could not agree on this point they promised to visit each other at Christmas ; then they could see for themselves which was really the more comfortable. The first visit was to be paid by the Town Mouse. Now, although the Country Mouse had moved down from the mountains for the winter, the road to her house was long and tiring, and one had to travel up hill and down dale; the snow lay thick and deep, so the Town Mouse found it hard work to get on, and she became both tired and hungry before she reached the end of her journey. " How nice it will be to get some food," she thought. The Country Mouse had scraped together the best she had. There were nut kernels, polypody, and other sorts of roots, and many other good things which grow in woods and fields. She kept it all in a hole far under ground, so the frost could not reach it, and close by was a running spring, open all the winter, so she could drink as much water as she liked. There was an abundance of all she had, and they ate both well and heartily; but the Town Mouse thought it was very poor fare indeed. "One can, of course, keep body and soul together on this," said she ; " but I don't think much of it. Now you must be good enough to visit me and taste what we have." Yes, that her hostess would, and before long she set out. The Town Mouse had gathered together all the scraps from the Christmas fare which the woman of the house had dropped on the floor during the holidays bits of cheese, butter, and tallow ends, cake-crumbs, pastry, and many other good things. In the dish under the ale-tap she had drink enough ; in fact, the place was full of all kinds of dainties. They ate and fared well ; the Country Mouse seemed never to have enough; she had never tasted such delicacies. But then she became thirsty, for she found the food both strong and rich, and now she wanted something to drink. " We haven't far to go for the beer we shall drink," said the Town Mouse, and jumped upon the edge of the dish and drank till she was no longer thirsty; she did not drink too much, for she knew the Christmas beer was strong. The Country Mouse, however, thought the beer a splendid drink ; she had never tasted anything but water, so she took one sip after another, but as she could not stand strong drink she became dizzy before she left the dish. The drink got into her head and down into her toes and she began running and jumping about from one beer-barrel to the other, and to dance and tumble about on the shelves among the cups and mugs; she squeaked and squealed as if she were intoxicated. " You must not carry on as if you had just come from the backwoods and make such a row and noise," said the Town Mouse ; " the master of the house is a bailiff, and he is very strict indeed," she said. The Country Mouse said she didn't care either for bailiffs or beggars. But the cat sat at the top of the cellar steps, lying in wait, and heard all the chatter and noise. When the woman of the house went down to draw some beer and lifted the trap-door the cat slipped by into the cellar and struck its claws into the Country Mouse. Then there was quite another sort of dance. The Town Mouse slid back into her hole and sat in safety looking on, while the Country Mouse suddenly became sober when she felt the claws of the cat in her back. " Oh, my dear bailiff, oh, dearest bailiff, be merciful and spare my life and I will tell you a fairy tale," she said. " Well, go on," said the cat. " Once upon a time there were two little mice," said the Country Mouse, squeaking slowly and pitifully, for she wanted to make the story last as long as she could. " Then they were not lonely," said the cat dryly and curtly. " And they had a steak which they were going to fry." " Then they could not starve," said the cat. " And they put it out on the roof to cool," said the Country Mouse. " Then they did not burn themselves," said the cat. " But there came a fox and a crow and ate it all up," said the Country Mouse. " Then I'll eat you," said the cat. But just at that moment the woman shut the trap-door with a slam, which so startled the cat that she let go her hold of the mouse. One bound and the Country Mouse found herself in the hole with the Town Mouse. From there a passage led out into the snow, and you may be sure the Country Mouse did not wait long before she set out homeward. " And this is what you call living at ease and being well off," she said to the Town Mouse. " Heaven preserve me from having such a fine place and such a master! Why, I only just got away with my life
Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith
Internet Archive
The Mclure Company
1908
very similar to (48), both borrow from (16) and (12)
English
49
274-277
Reading-literature. First reader
A town mouse met a country mouse in a forest. The country mouse was getting nuts. "Are you getting nuts for food?" asked the town mouse. "Yes," said the country mouse, "I am getting nuts for winter. The woods are full of nuts. It is a fine place to live." "I have a fine place to live too," said the town mouse. "I do not get nuts for winter, but I have all I want to eat. You must come to see me." "Yes, I will," said the country mouse. "But you come to see me first. You can come on Christmas." So the town mouse went to see the country mouse on Christmas. It was a long way. And there was snow on the ground. So when the town mouse got there he was very hungry. The country mouse had nuts to eat, and she had good water to drink. The country mouse ate a big dinner. But the town mouse said, "I can not eat this food. It is not good. Now you come to see me, and eat some of my food." So the town mouse went home. And the country mouse went with him. It was a long way. They were very hungry. The town mouse had bread and cheese and crumbs from the Christmas dinner. The food was very good. The country mouse ate and ate. Then she said to the town mouse, "How rich you must be." [Illustration] Soon a door opened, and a woman came in. The town mouse ran to his hole. The woman went out and left the door open. A big, hungry cat came running in. The town mouse ran far into his hole. The country mouse ran after him. But the old cat caught the country mouse by the tail. Then the door shut with a bang. This frightened the cat, and she let go of the mouse. The country mouse jumped far into the hole. "Do you call this a happy home? Do you call this riches?" said she. "I do not want such riches. I only got away with my life. I am happy in my country home. There I have nuts and good water. And I do not have to run for my life. Good day, I am going home." And the country mouse ran home as fast as she could.
Harriette Taylor Treadwell,
The Baldwin Project
Peterson and Company
1911
Frederick Richardson
Labeled "A Norse Folk Tale" in reader, and indeed borrows from (16) and (12)
Reader
48
Pages 57-58
The Winston Readers: Second Reader
Good Morning! I am glad to see you Good morning! I am glad I came Now Come and eat some of this nice grain Thank you. This is nice grain, but do you not have any pie or cake to eat? I do not know what pie and cake are. I never ate any. Come to visit me to-morrow. Then you can have as much as you like. Thank you. I shall come to-morrow. Good-bye I must go now, it will soon be dark. Good-bye. Come again. Good morning! I am glad to see you. Good morning! I am glad I came. You must be hungry come into the pantry and have something to eat. Here is some cheese. Here is the cake and here is the pie. Oh this is fine! I shall always stay here. I never had such good things to eat. What were those terrible creatures? Oh, they were only the dog and the cat. They often come here. When they go away, we can go back to the pantry. No I am going home. I do not have good things to eat, but I am safe. Good-bye. Good-bye.
Sidney G. Firman and Ethel H. Maltby
John C. Winston Company
1918
Illustrated by Frederick Richardson
English
Reader
47
pages 93-95
Misericordia Readers: Second Reader.
A gray mouse once had a nice little home in the country. Her cousin lived in a big house in the city. One day the city mouse came to see her. "Good morning," she said "I have come a long way to see you. I was afraid I might not find you at home, so I came early." "I am very glad to see you" said the country mouse. "Sit down and rest while I get dinner." Here are beans and corn and some wheat. Do come and eat. "Poor thing!" thought the city mouse. "How little she has to eat! I should think she would starve but I must not let her see that I am sorry for her." Then she said out loud "you are very kind. I did not have any breakfast this morning. I am very hungry." And then she nibbled a few beans and ate some wheat. When they had finished, the city mouse said "Don't you get very lonesome out here in the country?" "no" said the country mouse. "I like it here." "But it is so quiet" said the city mouse "In the city there is so much to see and do." "It must be very wonderful there," said the country mouse, "please tell me about it." "my sisters and I live in a very large house," said the city mouse. "There are many rooms and we have such fine things to eat." "What kinds of things?" Asked the country mouse. "Oh, bread and pie and cheese and turkey and everything good that you can think of." Answered the city mouse. "I wish I could have some of them." Said the country mouse. "I have never eaten pie or cheese." "Come home with me," said the city mouse. "I will give you all the good things you can eat." I wish I might go," said the country mouse. "Go with me to-night," said the city mouse. "There is room for you where I live. After you have been there a few days you will never want to come back here." "All right," said the country mouse. "I will go." "We will start as soon as it is dark." said the city mouse. "Then no one can see us." So as soon as it was dark, the country mouse and her cousin started for the city. They ran and ran until the country mouse was tired. "Cousin" She said "Let us stop here and rest. I am so tired that I cannot run another step." "Oh come on!" said the city mouse "It is not much farther. Think of the good supper we shall have." "So they ran on again." "HEre is the house." Said the city mouse. "Now follow me and I will show you the hole where we get in. NOw we are in. Look! Isn't this a fine place." "Yes," said the country mouse "It is beautiful. NOw where are the good things to eat?" "They are in the pantry" said the city mouse "COme this way. Now can't you smell them? Come through this hole and you shall have all you want." Soon they were in a large room. "Is this big place the pantry?" asked the country mouse. "Yes Now jump up on this shelf. HEre is the turkey. Over there is a pie. Just try some of it. Isn't it good?" "Yes, indeed" she said. "O Cousin, I am so glad I came home with you! I want to stay here always"...
Sisters of Mercy
Carlson Fable Collection
Benziger Brothers
1920
Illustrated by Frederick Richardson
English
Reader
46
200-205
Aesop at College
Said the Town Mouse to the Country Mouse one day, Come down with me to my City home and pay me visit." The Country Mouse accepted the invitation. The City Mouse introduced him to great many people, gave him many fine cigars to smoke, much champagne to drink, and drove him miles and miles in his motor-car. In short, he nearly exhausted the resources of urban hospitality in his efforts to entertain him. "This is all pretty nice," said the Country Mouse. You have given me deuce of fine time, old chap. I'd like to invite you to come over, some time, to our country place. You'll find it fearfully slow. We've no motor-cars, just the old family horse; no champagne, only hard cider; no one to entertain you to speak of, only my sister. However, come if you like. We'd be awfully glad to have you." The Town Mouse went He rode behind the family horse, drank some cider, and he met the Sister. With the Sister he became well acquainted. He made other visits. The second or third time he came, he began to see that Rustic Life, after all, certainly had its possibilities.
George Fullerton Evans
Google Books
Smith and Company
1908
Illustrated by Frederick Nobel
Spoof
English
39
Pages 69-70
Stories to Tell to Children
Once a little mouse who lived in the country invited little Mouse from the city to visit him. When the little City Mouse sat down to dinner he was surprised to find that the Country Mouse had nothing to eat except barley and grain. "Really," he said, "you do not live well at all. You should see how I live, I have all sorts of fine things to eat every day. You must come to visit me and see how nice it is to live in the city." The little Country Mouse was glad to do this, and after while he went to the city to visit his friend. The very first place that the City Mouse took the Country Mouse to see was the kitchen cupboard of the house where he lived. There, on the lowest shelf, behind some stone jars, stood big paper bag of brown sugar. The little City Mouse gnawed a hole in the bag and invited his friend to nibble for himself. The two little mice nibbled and nibbled, and the Country Mouse thought he had never tasted anything so delicious in his life. He was just thinking how lucky the City Mouse was, when suddenly the door opened with bang, and in came the cook to get some flour. "Run!" whispered the City Mouse. And they ran as fast as they could to the little hole where they had come in. The little Country Mouse was shaking all over when they got safely away, but the little City Mouse said, "That is nothing; she will soon go away and then we can go back." After the cook had gone away and shut the door they stole softly back, and this time the City Mouse had something new to show, He took the little Country Mouse into corner on the top shelf, where a big jar of dried prunes stood open. After much tugging and pulling they got large dried prune out of the jar on to the shelf and began to nibble at it. This was even better than the brown sugar. The little Country Mouse liked the taste so much that he could hardly nibble fast enough. But all at once, in the midst of their eating, there came scratching at the door and sharp, loud miaouw "What is that?" said the Country Mouse. The City Mouse just whispered, Sh! and ran as fast as he could to the hole. The Country Mouse ran after, you may be sure, as fast as he could. As soon as they were out of danger the City Mouse said: "That was the old Cat; she is the best mouser in town, if she once gets you, you are lost." "This is very terrible," said the little Country Mouse; "let us not go back to the cupboard again." "No," said the City Mouse, "I will take you to the cellar; there is something special there." So the City Mouse took his little friend down the cellar stairs and into big cupboard where there were many shelves. On the shelves were jars of butter, and cheeses in bags and out of bags. Overhead hung bunches of sausages, and there were spicy apples in barrels standing about. It smelled so good that it went to the little Country Mouse's head. He ran along the shelf and nibbled at cheese here, and bit of butter there, until he saw an especially rich, very delicious-smelling piece of cheese on queer little stand in corner. He was just on the point of putting his teeth into the cheese when the City Mouse saw him. "Stop! stop!" cried the City Mouse. "That is a trap!" The little Country Mouse stopped and said, "What is a trap?" "That thing is a trap," said the little City Mouse. "The minute you touch the cheese with your teeth something comes down on your head hard, and you 're dead." The little Country Mouse looked at the trap, and he looked at the cheese, and he looked at the little City Mouse. "If you'll excuse me," he said, "I think will go home. I'd rather have barley and grain to eat and eat it in peace and comfort, than have brown sugar and dried prunes and cheese, and be frightened to death all the time!" So the little Country Mouse went back to his home, and there he stayed all the rest of his life.
Sara Cone Bryant
Google Books
Houghton Mifflin
1907
Illustrator Unknown
English
38
Pages 19-23
Child Life in Tale and Fable
ONE day a City Mouse went to visit his friend in the country. The Country Mouse was very glad to see his old friend. He took him for walk in the fields and then gave him the best dinner that he could find. He was afraid that there was not enough for two, so he nibbled an ear of corn. His friend had some green peas, a bit of new cheese and ripe, red apple. After the City Mouse had eaten all the dinner, he said, How can you live in the country, my friend? You can see nothing here but woods and rivers, meadows and mountains. You must be very tired of hearing nothing but the birds' songs. Come with me to the city. There you can live in beautiful house and have good things for dinner every day. When you have lived in the city week you will forget that you ever lived in the country." So the two mice set off for the city. They reached the home of the City Mouse in the night. "You must be hungry after your long walk," said the City Mouse to his friend. "We will have some dinner at once." So they went to the dining-room and the City Mouse found some cake and fruit. "Help your self," he said. There is enough for both of us." "This is very good dinner," said the Country Mouse. "How rich you are, my friend." Just then the door opened and in came dog. The mice jumped off the table and ran into a hole in the floor. The poor little Country Mouse was so frightened "Do not be afraid," said his friend. "The dog cannot come in here." Then the mice went to the kitchen. They found an apple-pie on the shelf, and were helping themselves to piece of it when they saw two bright eyes watching them. "The cat! The cat!" cried the City Mouse, and the mice ran through hole in the wall as fast as they could go. When the Country Mouse could speak, he said, "Good-by, my friend. You may live in the city with the dogs and cats.I like my home in the country. The birds sing to me while eat my corn and apples. The cats watch you while you eat your cake and pie. I like my corn in safety better than your cake in fear.
Etta Austin Blasdell
Google Books
The Macmillan Company
1899
Illustrator Unknown
English
Reader
37
pages 74-77
The Third Class Reader
A plain country mouse was once unexpectedly visited at his hole by fine mouse of the town, who had formerly been his playfellow. The honest rustic, pleased with the honor, resolved to entertain his friend as sumptuously as possible. He set before him some delicate gray peas and bacon, a dish of fine oatmeal, some parings of new cheese, and, to crown all with dessert, a remnant of a charming mellow apple. When the repast was nearly finished, the spark of the town, taking breath, said, "Old Crony, give me leave to be a little free with you. How can you bear to live in this melancholy hole here, with nothing but woods, and meadows, and mountains, and rivulets about you. Do you not prefer the hum of the busy city to the chirping of birds, and the splendor of a grand house to the prospect of a wild like this ?" With many flowery arguments he at last prevailed upon his country friend to go with him to town, and about midnight they safely entered a certain great house, where there had been an entertainment the day before. Here it was the citizen's turn to entertain, and placing his guest on a rich Persian carpet, they both began to regale most deliciouely on the richest meats and drinks, when, on sudden, the door opened, servant came in, and the two mice were glad to scamper for dear life. The country mouse was ready to die with fear at the many hairbreadth escapes which followed. At last, when they had retreated to a place of safety, he bid his city friend a hasty good morning, saying, "If this be your town life, much good may it do you. Give me my poor quiet hole again, with my homely but comfortable country fare. frugal living, enjoyed in peace and security, is better than the greatest luxuries, imbittered by fear and danger."
Benjamin Dudley Emerson
Google Books
Crocker & Brewster
1834
Illustrator Unknown
English
Reader
36
pages 63-64
The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine Translated into Verse
A rat from town, a country rat Invited in the civilest way; For dinner there was just to be Ortolans and an entrement. Upon a Turkey carpet soft The noble feast at last was spread; I leave you pretty well to guess The merry, pleasant life they led. Gay the repast, for plenty reigned, Nothing was wanting to the fare; But hardly had it well begun Ere chance disturbed the friendly pair. A sudden racket at the door Alarmed them, and they made retreat; The city rat was not the last, His comrade followed fast and fleet. The noise soon over, they returned, As rats on such occasions do; "Come," said the liberal citizen, "And let us finish our ragout." "Not a crumb more," the rustic said; "Tomorrow you shall dine with me; Don't think me jealous of your state, Or all your royal luxury; But then I eat so quiet at home, And nothing dangerous is near; Good-bye, my friend, I have no love For pleasure when it's mixed with fear."
Jean La'Fontaine
Carlson Fables Collection
Hurst
1880
Translated into verse by Walter Thornbury
Illustrated by Gustave Doré
English
Verse
32
20-23
Fables Every Child Should Know
One day a city mouse went to visit friend that lived in the country. The country mouse was very glad to see his friend from the city. He served for dinner the best food that he had. That best was not much. It was only some roots and some dry peas and corn. "Why do you stay here in the country, my friend?" asked the city mouse. "Your home is only a hole in the ground. In the city where I live there are fine houses and dainty food. Go home with me and share these good things." "Thank you," said the country mouse; "I will." So they went to the city. It was late when they reached it, and they were tired and hungry. "Now we shall have supper," said the city mouse. He led the country mouse into the pantry of large house. On the shelves were bread, cake, meat, cheese, and oh! great many other good things to eat. "See all this good food!" cried the city mouse. "Isn't this better than country fare1?" "Indeed it is," said the country mouse. "We are much better oft' here than was in the country. How good that cheese looks! Why, at home I never see piece of cheese. Now for feast!" Just as the mice began to eat, the pantry door opened. In came the cook. The hungry mice ran away and hid till she went out. Then they crept back, to get their supper. But the cook had left the door open and the cat came in. Away ran the poor hungry mice to hide again. The cat's claws were almost on them before they got into hole. "Goodbye, my friend," said the country mouse. "I am going back home. This is fine house, and there are many good things here. But I could not enjoy them, for should always be in fear and danger. I like better to have plain food and to live in peace and safety."
Edna Turpin
Google Books
B.F. Johnson Publishing Company
1920
Illustrator Unknown
English
29
Pages 49-50
The Young and Field Literary Readers (Book 2)
Once a country mouse asked her cousin, the town mouse, to come and visit her. The town mouse came, and the country mouse gave her the best she had to eat. It was only little wheat and corn. The town mouse ate some of it. Then she said: "Cousin, how can you live on this poor corn and wheat? Come to town with me, and will give you something good." So the two mice set off and soon came to town. The town mouse lived well and had everything she wished for. She had cake and pie and cheese and everything good to eat. O, it was so good! The country mouse was hungry, and she ate and ate and ate. "How rich my cousin is," she said, and how poor am As she said this, there was great barking at the door. Then two dogs ran into the room. They chased the mice about, barking all the time. At last the mice ran into hole. "Good-by, cousin, I am going home," said the country mouse. "What Are you going so soon?" asked the other. "Yes, I do not like that kind of music with my supper. It is better to have corn and wheat and be safe than to have cake and cheese and be always in fear," said the country mouse.
Ella Flag Young and Walter Taylor Field
Google Books
Ginn and Company
1916
Illustrated by Maginal Wright Enwright
English
Reader
28
pages 51-52
Fables Ancient and Modern
There was mouse that lived in the country; I dare say at Horace‘s farm that he was so fond of; for Horace lived at a pretty white house with green window-shutters; he had a large garden of vegetables and flowers with a fine fish pond in front; and behind beautiful serpentine walk through a wood. This mouse had a cousin that lived in town. I believe; his home was at the palace of Maecenas, the emperor’s prime minister of state, that was built with pillars of marble, and ceilings of stucco-work. Now, though the house where the country-mouse lived was only a sort of cottage, a little better than the ordinary cottages round it, yet he loved his relations and friends, as much as the best mouse that wore a head and he begged and prayed his town cousin to come some day and take a dinner with him. The town-mouse consented. When the visitor came, the country-mouse showed him all he had to show, the fish-pond, and the garden, and the wood, and how prettily the white house looked with the green window-shutters. They sat down to dinner. The host had ranged all the provisions in a hollow tree, that they might be sure not to be disturbed. He placed a nice soft cushion of moss for his guest, and set before him a little piece of bacon, and morsel of beef that had been boiled for soup, and a bit of cheese, and a golden pippin. The country-mouse sat in a lower place, and ate nothing but a crust of bread, and a piece of the hard rind of cheese, leaving all the rest for his cousin. He was as polite to his visitor as a mouse could he, and hoped he would be able to make dinner, and assured him that the cheese was made of the finest cream, and the pippin was fresh gathered. The city-mouse however, made a miserable meal, he could not relish such country fare. After dinner he asked his entertainer very gravely, how he could be content to waste his life in such wretch ed hole? Consider, said the town-mouse, you are now young and should enjoy yourself. You should see men and cities. When once you know the world, you will despise this rustic life as much as do. The town mouse gave the country-mouse such an account of what fine thing it was to go to court, that at last he consented to go back with him to the palace of Maecenas on the Esquiline hill. a long and weary journey they had of it; and, though a man would have walked it in three or four hours, a mouse was obliged to sleep one night on the road. They got to Rome the next night, and crept silently and softly to the town-mouse’s home. The country mouse was out of his senses to see what fine home it was. The rooms were almost as large and lofty as a church; the walls were adorned with looking-glasses and guilding; and immense chandeliers of silver hung from the ceiling. I confess, says he,I begin to think Horace’s farm was but miserable hole. I thought, answered the town-mouse, I should bring you to your senses. He then led his visitor into the room where Maecenas and his friends had dined. The mice climbed up upon the table. There was nothing left but the dessert; but such dessert! There were pine-apples, and ice-creams, and melons, and grapes, and preserves, and perfumes, and sugar in abundance. The town-mouse felt himself at home. The country-mouse frisked about as if he had been mad. He had never seen such a sight in his life. Why, here, said he, are provisions enough to last Horace for month. He was so long smelling and examining the different plates, that he had not tasted a bit, when the door burst open. It was the butler and five or six footmen, who were come to clear away the dessert, and prepare every thing for their master’s supper. With them pranced in couple of fine Italian grey-hounds. But, what was worst of all, at the heels of the grey-hounds, came jumping along, the largest tom-cat you ever saw. The mice were terribly frightened, and scampered away as fast as they could. But the walls of the marble dining-hall were so well fitted, that there was not a chink for so much as a spider to hide himself. It was almost a miracle that the mice escaped, and at last got to a dark, dirty hole in some wainscot, where the town-mouse was accustomed to sleep. Come, said he to his guest, I dare say you are tired; you will stay snug here to-night. Not minute, said the country-mouse, that can help As soon as the room is once more quiet, I will take my leave of cities and ministers of state for-ever. I dare say I shall not recover the fright I have been in for a fortnight. Give me temperate life and a safe one. I shall thank you, the longest day have to live, for the lesson you have taught me.I shall go home now and know better than I did before, the blessings of hollow tree and crust of bread.
Edward Baldwin
Google Books
Benjamin Warner
1818
Illustrator unknown
English
27
pages 36-39
School Reading by Grades: Third Year
Once upon a time a Town Mouse went to visit his cousin in the country. The country cousin was a rough fellow, and his manners were not very fine. But he was glad to see his town friend, and did all that he could to make things pleasant. Beans and corn and dry roots were all that he could offer for dinner, but they were offered very freely. The Town Mouse rather turned up his nose at this country fare. He said, "Cousin, I wonder how you can put with with such food as this every day." The Country mouse said "I don't know of anybody that has any better." "Perhaps not," said his cousin; "but if you will go home with me, I will show you how to live. When you have been in town a week you will wonder how any one can bear to stay in the country." No sooner said than done. The two mice set off for town, and came to the house of the Town Mouse late at night. The Town Mouse was very polite. After they had rested a little while, he took his friend into the great dining room. He said, "We will have something to eat after our long walk." On the table they found what had been left of a fine supper. Soon they were busy eating cakes and all that was nice. "This is what I call living," said the Town Mouse. Just then a noise was heard at the door. "What is that?" said the Country Mouse. "Oh, it's only the dogs barking," said his cousin. "Do they keep dogs in this house?" "Yes and you must be careful to keep out of their way." The next minute the door flew open, and two big dogs came running in.The Mice jumped off the table and ran into a hole in the floor. But they were none too quick. "Oh, I am so frightened!" said the country mouse, and he trembeled like a leaf. "That is nothing," said his cousin. "The dogs cannot follow us." Then they went into the kitchen. But while they were looking around and tasting first of this thing and then of that, what did they see in a dark corner? They saw two bright eyes watching them, and they knew that the house cat was there. "Run for your life!" Cried the town mouse. In another moment the cat would have had them. The country mouse felt her claws touch his tail as he ran under the door. "That was a narrow escape!" said the Town Mouse. But the country mouse did not stop to talk. "Good-by, cousin," he said. "What, are you going so soon?" "Yes, I must go home. A grain of corn in safety is better than fine cake in fear."
James Baldwin
Google Books
American Book Company
1897
Illustrator Unknown
English
Reader
25
Pages 42-44
The Herford Æsop; fifty fables in verse
A COUNTRY Mouse once asked a friend Who lived in Town to come and spend The day, and breathe his country air, And taste his simple country fare. But simple fare like cheese and rye And oatmeal failed to satisfy The City Mouse's pampered taste. "Your life, my friend, is going to waste In this outlandish hole," said he. "Come into Town and visit me — And I will show you how (forgive Plain speech) a gentlemouse should live." His host accepted with delight, So off they set and that same night, Arriving at the city house, Sat down to dine. The Country Mouse, Bewildered, scarce believed his eyes, For here were almonds, nuts and pies, Honey and custard, cream and cake, And—"What's that noise? For mercy's sake!" The Country Mouse exclaimed in fright, As through the floor with all their might They scampered, panting, out of breath."It almost frightened me to death!" "Oh, that—" explained the City Mouse,"That is the Man who shares my house; But he won't hurt you —" "That may be," Replied the guest, "but not for me This whirl of cake and custard gay; It is not worth the price you pay. I'm just as much obliged, but I Prefer the Simple Life — Good-by!"
Oliver Herford
Hathi Trust
Ginn and Company
1921
Illustrated by Oliver Herford
English
Verse
15
76-77
Book of Fables, Chiefly From Aesop
A Country Mouse had a friend who lived in a house in town. Now the Town Mouse was invited by the Country Mouse to take dinner with him, and out he went, and sat down to a dinner of barley and wheat. "Do you know, my friend," said he, "that you live a mere ant's life out here? Now, I have plenty at home; come and enjoy the good things there with me." So the two set off for town, and there the Town Mouse showed the other his beans and meal, his dates, his cheese and fruit and honey. As the Country Mouse ate, drank, and was merry, he praised his friend and be- wailed his own poor lot. But while they were urging each other to eat heartily, a man suddenly opened the door, and, frightened by the noise, they crept into a crack. By and by, when he had gone, they came out and tasted of some dried figs; when in came another person to get something that was in the room, and when they caught sight of him they ran and hid in a hole. At that the Country Mouse forgot his hunger, and, fetching a sigh, said to the other: — "Please yourself, my good friend; eat all you want and get rich, — and be in a fright the whole time. As for me, I am a poor fel-low, I know, who have only barley and wheat, but I am quite content to live on those, and have nothing to frighten me." Those who have the plain things of life are often better off than the rich.
Horace E. Scudder
Hathi Trust
Riverside Press
1882
H. W. Herrick
English
14
Pages 56-57
More classic stories for the little ones
A country mouse was carrying some corn to his home one day when he met a town mouse. "Always at work," said the town mouse. "I should think you would get tired of work." . "Oh, I don't mind it," said the country mouse. "This is a good year and I am laying by a large store of grain and other seeds. I expect to live well all winter." "I always live well," said the town mouse. "I have the best in the land every day—cake, pie, cheese, and other good things. I do not have to lay by a store for winter. I always have plenty the year round." "It is nearly noon and you must be tired. Come in and take dinner with me," said the country mouse. "I will give you the best meal you ever ate. I want you to know how good country fare is." "Thank you," said the town mouse. "I shall be glad to dine with you," and the two mice went together to the home of the country mouse. While the town mouse rested, the country mouse set forth the best he had in the house. There were beans, peas, yellow corn, white corn, wheat, and barley. When all was ready the two mice sat down and both ate heartily, but the town mouse thought it a very poor dinner. "Come and dine with me next Saturday," said the town mouse. "I want to show you what good fare is." "Thank you," said the country mouse. "I shall be glad to dine with you." So on Saturday the country mouse went to the home of the city mouse. He did not feel at ease, for there were so many people about and so many strange sounds. The town mouse took him to a cupboard where there was no end of good things to eat. The country mouse was enjoying some cake, which he had to own was better than anything he had ever eaten, when a cat crept quietly into the pantry. As soon as the mice saw him, they ran, but the country mouse, not knowing at once which way to go, barely escaped the claws of the cat. The two mice waited some time before they tried to finish their meal. They then crept to the dining-room, which the family had just left. The table was still full of good things. The mice looked about and saw no one, so they climbed up on the table. "What excellent cheese this is," said the country mouse when about to take his second bite; but just then the door was pushed open and a little dog walked into the room. Both mice jumped down, and the city mouse ran into his hole, but the country mouse ran here and there, trying to find a place to hide. The dog chased him, barking savagely, and the whole family hurried into the room to see what it was all about. Poor country mouse, he was never so frightened in his life! Just as the dog was about to catch him, he at last found the open door and ran out. He never stopped to bid the town mouse "Goodby," but ran on and on until he reached his home. There he panted out, "I hate the town. Give me plain food, some work, and a life free from fear. That is the life for me!"
Lida Brown Mcmurry
Hathi Trust
Public School Publishing Company
1911
Illustrator Unknown
English
13
Pages 11-14
The Fables of Aesop, based on the text of L'estrange and Croxall
A Country Mouse, plain, sensible sort of fellow, was once visited by former friend of his, who lived in neighboring city. The Country Mouse put before his friend some fine peas and wheat-stalks, and called upon him to eat heartily of the good cheer. The City Mouse nibbled little here and there in dainty manner, wondering at the pleasure his host took in such coarse and ordinary fare. Finally the City Mouse said to his host, in their after-dinner chat, "Really, my good friend, I am surprised that you can keep in such spirits in this dismal, dead-and-alive kind of place. You see here no life, no gayety, no society in short, but go on and on, in dull, humdrum sort of way, from one year's end to another. Come now, with me, this very night, and see with your own eyes what life I lead." The Country Mouse consented, and as soon as it was dark, off they started for the city, where they arrived just at the end of splendid supper given by the master of the house where our town friend lived. The City Mouse soon got together heap of dainties on corner of the handsome carpet. The Country Mouse, who had never even heard the names of half the meats set before him, was hesitating where he should begin, when the room door creaked, opened, and in entered a servant with light. Off ran the Mice; but everything soon being quiet again, they returned to their repast, when once more the door opened, and the son of the master of the house came running in, followed by his little Terrier, who ran sniffing to the very spot where our friends had just been. The City Mouse was by that time safe in his hole—which, by the way, he had not been thoughtful enough to show to his friend, who could find no better shelter than that afforded by a sofa, behind which he waited in fear and trembling till quiet was again restored. The City Mouse then called upon him to resume his supper, but the Country Mouse said, No, no; I shall be off as fast as I can. I would rather have my wheat-stalk with peace and security, than all your fine things in the midst of such alarms and frights as these." A crust with quietness is better than feast eaten in fear.
Joseph Walter McSpadden
Google Books
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
1903
Illustrator Unknown
Draws heavily from L'estrange (20) and Croxall (41)
English
10
71-73
The Fables of Aesop
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; "Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.
Joseph Jacobs
Google Books
Hurst
1894
Illustrated by Richard Heighway
woodcut is the same as (40)
English
9
pages 15-17
Aesop's Fables
A COUNTRY MOUSE invited a Town Mouse, an intimate friend, to pay him a visit and partake of his country fare. As they were on the bare plowlands, eating there wheat-stocks and roots pulled up from the hedgerow, the Town Mouse said to his friend, 'You live here the life of the ants, while in my house is the horn of plenty. I am surrounded by every luxury, and if you will come with me, as I wish you would, you shall have an ample share of my dainties.' The Country Mouse was easily persuaded, and returned to town with his friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed before him bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty piece of cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being much delighted at the sight of such good cheer, expressed his satisfaction in warm terms and lamented his own hard fate. Just as they were beginning to eat, someone opened the door, and they both ran off squeaking, as fast as they could, to a hole so narrow that two could only find room in it by squeezing. They had scarcely begun their repast again when someone else entered to take something out of a cupboard, whereupon the two Mice, more frightened than before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the Country Mouse, almost famished, said to his friend: 'Although you have prepared for me so dainty a feast, I must leave you to enjoy it by yourself. It is surrounded by too many dangers to please me. I prefer my bare plowlands and roots from the hedgerow, where I can live in safety, and without fear.'
George Fyler Townsend
Google Books
Routledge and sons
Illustrated by Harrison Weir
English
8
page 192-193
Aesop's Fables: A Version for Young Readers
A MOUSE from the city went on a visit to a friend in the country. The Country Mouse, with many apologies, brought out the best that he had and waited on his guest. There was plenty of oatmeal and peas, a nice scrap of bacon, and even a paring of cheese for dessert. While the guest was dining, the Country Mouse, out of politeness, would eat none of these dainties, for fear there should not be enough for both, but nibbled a piece of straw to keep his guest company. When the dinner was over, the City Mouse said: “Old friend, I thank you for your courtesy, but I must have a plain talk with you. I do not see how you can bear to live so poor a life in this little hole. Why not come with me to the city, where you will have all sorts of good things to eat and a gay time? You are wasting your life. When you have once seen the city you will never be willing to return to this quiet place.” After being urged a long time, the Country Mouse at last agreed to go to the city that very night. So they started off together, and about midnight came to the great house where the City Mouse lived. In the dining room was spread a rich feast; and the City Mouse, with many airs and graces, ran about the table, and, picking out the nicest bits, waited upon his country friend, who, amazed at the good things, ate to his heart’s content. All at once the doors of the dining room were flung open, and in came a crowd of people, followed by a big dog, who barked loudly and ran about the room. The Mice rushed for the hole, to escape, and the little field Mouse almost died of fright. As soon as he was able to speak, he said: “Well! if this is city life, I have seen enough of it. Stay in this fine place if you like. I shall be only too glad to get home to my quiet, safer, country house and my plain oatmeal and peas.”
Jenny Stickney
Project Gutenberg
Ginn and Company
1915
Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull
English
5
page 103
Æsop, In Rhyme, or: Old Friends in a New Dress
A plain, but honest, country mouse, Residing in a miller's house; Once, on a time, invited down An old acquaintance of the town: And soon he brought his dainties out; The best he had there's not a doubt. A dish of oatmeal and green peas, With half a candle, and some cheese; Some beans, and if I'm not mistaken, A charming piece of Yorkshire bacon. And then to show he was expert In such affairs, a fine dessert Was next produced, all which he press'd, With rustic freedom, on his guest. But he, the city epicure, This homely fare could not endure Indeed he scarcely broke his fast By what he took, but said, at last, "Old crony, now, I'll tell you what: I don't admire this lonely spot; This dreadful, dismal, dirty hole, Seems more adapted for a mole Than 'tis for you; Oh! could you see My residence, how charm'd you'd be. Instead of bringing up your brood In wind, and wet, and solitude, Come bring them all at once to town, We'll make a courtier of a clown. I think that, for your children's sake, 'Tis proper my advice to take." "Well," said his host, "I can but try, And so poor quiet hole good bye!" Then off they jogg'd for many a mile, Talking of splendid things the while; At last, in town, they all arrived— Found where the city mouse had lived— Entered at midnight through a crack, And rested from their tedious track. "Now," said the city mouse, "I'll show What kind of fare I've brought you to:" On which he led the rustic mice Into a larder, snug and nice, Where ev'ry thing a mouse could relish, Did ev'ry shelf and nook embellish. "Now is not this to be preferr'd To your green peas?" "Upon my word, It is," the country mouse replied, "All this must needs the point decide." Scarce had they spoke these words, when, lo! A tribe of servants hasten'd through, And also two gigantic cats, Who spied our country mouse and brats. Then, by a timely exit, she Just saved herself and family. "Oh, ask me not," said she in haste, "Your tempting dainties more to taste; I much prefer my homely peas, To splendid dangers such as these." Then let not those begin to grumble, Whose lot is safe, though poor and humble; Nor envy him who better fares, But for each good, has twenty cares.
Marmaduke Park
Project Gutenberg
C. G. Henderson and Company
1852
employs nearly identical language to the Jefferys Talor version, see (23)
English
Verse
4
page 71
The Æsop for Children
A Town Mouse once visited a relative who lived in the country. For lunch the Country Mouse served wheat stalks, roots, and acorns, with a dash of cold water for drink. The Town Mouse ate very sparingly, nibbling a little of this and a little of that, and by her manner making it very plain that she ate the simple food only to be polite. After the meal the friends had a long talk, or rather the Town Mouse talked about her life in the city while the Country Mouse listened. They then went to bed in a cozy nest in the hedgerow and slept in quiet and comfort until morning. In her sleep the Country Mouse dreamed she was a Town Mouse with all the luxuries and delights of city life that her friend had described for her. So the next day when the Town Mouse asked the Country Mouse to go home with her to the city, she gladly said yes. When they reached the mansion in which the Town Mouse lived, they found on the table in the dining room the leavings of a very fine banquet. There were sweetmeats and jellies, pastries, delicious cheeses, indeed, the most tempting foods that a Mouse can imagine. But just as the Country Mouse was about to nibble a dainty bit of pastry, she heard a Cat mew loudly and scratch at the door. In great fear the Mice scurried to a hiding place, where they lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to breathe. When at last they ventured back to the feast, the door opened suddenly and in came the servants to clear the table, followed by the House Dog. The Country Mouse stopped in the Town Mouse's den only long enough to pick up her carpet bag and umbrella. "You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not," she said as she hurried away, "but I prefer my plain food and simple life in the country with the peace and security that go with it." Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
Milo Winter
Project Gutenberg
<span>Rand McNally & Company</span>
1919
Illustrated by Milo Winter
English
3
page 18
Æsop's Fables: A New Translation By V. S. Vernon Jones
A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse were acquaintances, and the Country Mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields. The Town Mouse came, and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots, the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavour. The fare was not much to the taste of the guest, and presently he broke out with "My poor dear friend, you live here no better than the ants. Now, you should just see how I fare! My larder is a regular horn of plenty. You must come and stay with me, and I promise you you shall live on the fat of the land." So when he returned to town he took the Country Mouse with him, and showed him into a larder containing flour and oatmeal and figs and honey and dates. The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it, and sat down to enjoy the luxuries his friend provided: but before they had well begun, the door of the larder opened and some one came in. The two Mice scampered off and hid themselves in a narrow and exceedingly uncomfortable hole. Presently, when all was quiet, they ventured out again; but some one else came in, and off they scuttled again. This was too much for the visitor. "Good-bye," said he, "I'm off. You live in the lap of luxury, I can see, but you are surrounded by dangers; whereas at home I can enjoy my simple dinner of roots and corn in peace."
Vernon Stanley Vernon Jones
Project Gutenberg
Avenel Books
1912
Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
English
2
page 141