Once there lived a mouse in the countryside, humble and content, eating grain and roots and enjoying his quiet life. One day, his cousin, the town mouse, came to visit — a mouse used to fine food and a life of comfort in a grand house.

Looking at his cousin's simple meal, the town mouse said mockingly, 'How can you live like this? Come with me to the city and see how a mouse ought to live!' Curious to see this new life, the country mouse agreed to go along.

They arrived at a splendid house in the city and found a table piled with delicious leftovers from a great feast. The country mouse was delighted by such abundance — but suddenly the door burst open with a loud noise, and a huge dog rushed in barking fiercely. Terrified, the two mice fled into a narrow crack in the wall until the danger passed.

They had barely settled down when a cat came chasing after them again, and they had to flee once more, barely escaping. Panting with fear, the country mouse turned to his cousin and said, 'Thank you for your kindness, but I would rather have my plain bread in the countryside, safe and at peace, than all this fine food while living in constant fear.'

And the country mouse returned happily to his simple home, having learned that a humble meal eaten in peace is far better than a king's feast eaten in fear.