Child Life in Tale and Fable

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