This very short fable is here for the moments when even ten minutes feels too much. It is light, familiar, and quick.
A gentle reading note
This reading is here for enjoyment, reflection, and a little human company. It is not psychotherapy, diagnosis, crisis support, medical advice, or a substitute for talking with a qualified professional. If something you read here brings up difficult feelings, it is fine to stop or choose something lighter. If you may be in immediate danger or unable to keep yourself safe, contact local emergency services or crisis support. The fuller website boundaries are on the disclaimer page, and practical support routes are listed on Mental Health Help.
Reading time: 2-4 minutes. Mood: Very short, fun, light reflection.
Text source: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Aesop and later translators (ancient source tradition), from Aesop's Fables; a new translation, available as Project Gutenberg eBook 11339. This fable belongs to the ancient Aesop tradition. Project Gutenberg lists V. S. Vernon Jones as translator and Arthur Rackham as illustrator for this source edition; this page reproduces text only. Please check the source, translation, local copyright rules, and Project Gutenberg terms before reusing it. See also the Project Gutenberg license and public-domain notes.
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse were acquaintances, and the Country Mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields. The Town Mouse came, and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots, the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavour. The fare was not much to the taste of the guest, and presently he broke out with "My poor dear friend, you live here no better than the ants. Now, you should just see how I fare! My larder is a regular horn of plenty. You must come and stay with me, and I promise you you shall live on the fat of the land." So when he returned to town he took the Country Mouse with him, and showed him into a larder containing flour and oatmeal and figs and honey and dates. The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it, and sat down to enjoy the luxuries his friend provided: but before they had well begun, the door of the larder opened and some one came in. The two Mice scampered off and hid themselves in a narrow and exceedingly uncomfortable hole. Presently, when all was quiet, they ventured out again; but some one else came in, and off they scuttled again. This was too much for the visitor. "Good-bye," said he, "I'm off. You live in the lap of luxury, I can see, but you are surrounded by dangers; whereas at home I can enjoy my simple dinner of roots and corn in peace."
After Reading
A fable does not need to be turned into homework. It may be enough to smile at it. If it does leave a thought behind, it might be about what kind of life actually feels safe, simple, or right enough.
There is no exercise to complete here. You can simply read the story and leave it at that. If a theme connects with anxiety, grief, relationship stress, or the wish to live more deliberately, it may also be something to bring into a conversation with a therapist, counsellor, doctor, or another trusted person.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this page therapy or mental health advice?
No. This page is a public-domain short reading offered for enjoyment and reflection. It is not psychotherapy, diagnosis, crisis support, medical advice, or a substitute for working with a qualified professional.
Can I reuse the text?
The text is based on a public-domain Project Gutenberg source copy, but anyone reusing it should check the specific source, edition, translation, local copyright rules, and Project Gutenberg terms.