THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
Once a town mouse called Rio visited his cousin Leo, who lived in the countryside. Rio and Leo played together when they were young. They were best friends. Rio had a different mindset. Right from the beginning, he loved to visit towns, he loved dressing well, he loved going to parties and was very much attracted to the posh lifestyle of the town.
One day Rio permanently moved to town. But Leo loved the countryside and stayed there. After a very long time, Rio comes to meet Leo. They both had a very good time together. They bathed in the pond, chased each other around the fields, and ate roots and other stuff they found in the fields.
They went to Leo’s house. Leo had a simple, neat and cosy house. For dinner, Leo served wheat stalks, roots, corn, some grains and cold water as a drink. Rio nibbled a little of this and that. He made it clear that he was not much interested in having such a simple dinner, compared to his buffet dinner in town.
After dinner, they chatted for a long time. Rio told about all the posh life he lives in the town, while Leo just listened to it quietly. They went to bed in a cosy nest in the hedgerow and slept in comfort until morning. Leo in his sleep dreamt about the luxuries and delights of the city life that his friend Rio described.
The next day both got up and had a simple breakfast. Rio invited Leo to the town, to which Leo readily agreed. When they reached the mansion where Rio lived, it looked very posh. On the dining table, they saw the leavings of a very fine banquet.
There were sweetmeats, jellies, pastries, soft cheese and indeed everything a mouse could imagine. But just when both the mice were about to nibble a dainty bit of pastry, they heard a cat mew loudly and scratch at the door. In great fear, Rio and Leo scurried to a hiding place. In there they stayed still and quiet for a long time. Rio told Leo that this small place was his home. Leo was really in shock hearing this.
After some time when at last they ventured back to the feast, the door opened suddenly and in came the servants to clear the table, followed by the house dog. Leo thought it was finally time to bid goodbye to his dear friend Rio and to this posh town life, where things are not true as he imagined.
Leo picked his umbrella and coat and said to Rio that he may have all luxuries and dainties that he does not have but he prefers the simple food and peaceful life that goes with it.
Moral of the story
Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
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