Once there were two mice who were cousins. One lived in the country, in a cozy hole under a hedge. The other lived in town, in the walls of a grand house.

One day, the town mouse came to visit his country cousin.

The country mouse was delighted. She set out her very best food: barley grains, dried peas, a crust of brown bread, and a little piece of cheese she had been saving.

"Please, eat!" she said proudly.

The town mouse nibbled politely, but he wrinkled his nose. "My dear cousin," he said, "how can you stand this plain food? You should come to town with me. You wouldn't believe the things I eat — cakes, ham, fruit, cheese of every kind! Come and see for yourself."

The country mouse had never been to town. She was curious, so she agreed.

They traveled together to the grand house. The town mouse led his cousin through a crack in the wall and into the dining room. And there on the table was the most magnificent feast the country mouse had ever seen.

There were platters of roast chicken. Bowls of cream. Cakes topped with sugar. Bread so white and soft it looked like clouds.

"Help yourself!" said the town mouse.

The country mouse could hardly believe her eyes. She took a nibble of cake. It was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted. She tried the cream. Wonderful! She reached for a piece of cheese —

BANG! The door flew open. In bounded a huge dog, barking and snarling. The two mice leaped off the table and ran for their lives, squeezing through the crack in the wall just in time.

The country mouse's heart was pounding. "Is it always like this?" she gasped.

"Well, yes, sometimes," said the town mouse. "But the food is worth it, don't you think?"

The country mouse shook her head. "Cousin, your cakes are very fine. But I would rather eat barley in peace than feast in fear."

She said goodbye and went home to her quiet hedge, her simple food, and her safe little hole. And she was perfectly happy.