The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

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The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
            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."