2. Aesop's Fables - The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Trim, The Town Mouse

Once there lived a town mouse named Tim. The town was prosperous and there was abundant good food to eat. So, Tim the town mouse eat well and lived merrily. He was very fat and lazy.

Day went by well and one autumn night after his meal Tim sat sadly. He was feeling lonely and had no one to talk to. So he decided to go to the country side to meet his maternal cousin, Chris the country mouse.

Chris heartily welcomed Trim. He was a thin mice who went around all day in search of food for himself and his family. 

Chris, The Country Mouse

Chris said, 'Trim, its been years since we have met. I am very happy to see you'.

They hugged each other and sat down for chatting. They talked for hours together. Chris'  wife served them with beans and bacon. 

When it was night, the family sat down for the dinner. They all had cheese and bread. 

Next day, again Trim was served with beans and bacon in breakfast. They had cheese and bread in lunch and dinner. Though Trim was surprised, he said nothing.

On the third day, Trim again saw beans and bacons on his breakfast plate. He did not feel like eating it and said to Chris, 'Brother, tell me how do you bear with such food everyday?'

Chris sighed. He replied, 'Brother, this is all we get in countryside'.

Trim said, 'Brother, life in town is much more comforting and merrier. We have a lot to eat and a great variety to choose from. You should come and experience the town life sometime'.

Chris was excited. He said, 'Brother can I come with you for a stay in the town tomorrow when you leave?'

Trim happily agreed. Next day, the two mice set on their journey to town. They reached the town in the night.

Trim said to Chris, 'Brother, it was a long tiring journey. Let's got and have some refreshments'.

Chris nodded in agreement and together they went to the grand dining arena. There was abundant leftover food. The two mice relished the jellies, spreads, cream biscuits, cookies, cakes; etc.

While they ate greedily, there was sudden barking and growling. Chris dropped his food in fear and amazement. He asked Trim, 'Brother, is this an alert for us or otherwise? I feel this noise is very disturbing'.

Trim replied, 'Brother Chris, they are master's watch dogs. They often growl and bark during the night. You should continue eating. After this we shall go to rest'.

Before Chris could resume eating, the arena fdoor flung open with a crackling sound and two mastiffs rushed inside.

The two mice were out of their breadth and rushed towards the hiteout. They watched as the master took the mastiffs to the backyard through the arena. 

The master returned and closed the arena door. Trim said, 'Chris, let's go and finish the meal'.

Chris who was stuck with fear and astonishment, said 'No brother, I am set on my way back to my countryside home. There is less food, but peace there'.

Chris said good bye to his brother Trim and left. Trim continued to thrive on rich leftover foods in the town. One day the master set a trap for the mice. Trim and his many friends were caught. They were mercilessly thrown to cats.

Moral: Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.