ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Fable Cottage The City Mouse and the Country Mouse (UK English accent)
There was a city mouse who lived in a big city with tall buildings and lots of shops and restaurants. One day, he decided to visit his friend, the country mouse. The country mouse lived in a cozy little nest at the bottom of a tree. Her home was small, but it was warm and comfortable.
The country mouse made a special dinner with food from her garden. She served corn, carrots, acorns, and a cold glass of water from the stream. While they ate, the city mouse talked excitedly about his life. “The city is amazing!” he said. “I go to the theater and the museum. My house has twenty rooms. You must visit! Have you ever tried Chinese food?”
That night, the country mouse dreamed about living in the city. She imagined eating at fancy restaurants, saying smart things, and buying pretty hats from nice stores. She dreamed about trying Chinese food. “How wonderful!” she thought. “I want to live in the city too!”
The next morning, the country mouse decided to visit the city mouse. She packed her bag and followed him to his big house in the city. The house was enormous with twenty rooms filled with beautiful furniture. The country mouse was amazed. “Which room is mine?” she asked. “Um… we actually live down here…” said the city mouse. He led her down some stairs to the basement.
In the dim light, the country mouse saw many families of mice. “These are my housemates…” explained the city mouse. Then, he took her back upstairs for dinner. There was a feast of delicious foods on the table: cheese, bread, cookies, cakes, and lemonade. There was even Chinese food!
Just as they started to eat… CRASH! A cat with sharp teeth and claws jumped up on the table. The city cat chased the two mice off the table and across the floor. The mice hid in a hole in the wall. They waited quietly until the cat left. Then, they tiptoed back to the dining room… but all the food was gone! The city humans had eaten everything!
The country mouse hurried back to the basement and packed her bag. “Where are you going?” asked the city mouse. “Home,” she said. “I want to go back to the country. Your city life isn’t so wonderful after all. Now, please, help me call a taxi.”
Sometimes, other people’s lives are not as great as they make you believe.
City vs. Country Observation Walk: Take a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park. As you walk, observe and list things that remind you of the city mouse’s life and things that remind you of the country mouse’s life. For example, tall buildings and busy streets might remind you of the city, while trees and gardens might remind you of the country. Share your observations with a friend or family member and discuss which environment you like best and why.
Create Your Own Mouse Story: Imagine you are a mouse living in a different place, like the beach or the mountains. Draw a picture of your mouse home and write a short story about a day in your life. What kind of food would you eat? What adventures would you have? Share your story with the class or your family.
Role-Playing Activity: With a friend or family member, act out a scene from the story. One person can be the city mouse and the other the country mouse. Use toys or household items to create a small city and country setting. After acting out the scene, discuss how each mouse felt in the other’s environment and what they learned from their experiences.
**The City Mouse and the Country Mouse**
*A version of the tale by TheFableCottage.com*
This is a city mouse. He lives in a big city with tall buildings and many shops and restaurants. Today, he is visiting his friend, a country mouse. The country mouse lives in a cozy nest at the bottom of a tree. Her home is small, but it is warm and comfortable. The country mouse prepares a dinner of food from her garden: corn, carrots, acorns, and a cold glass of water from the stream.
Meanwhile, the city mouse talks enthusiastically: “The city is amazing! I go to the theater and the museum… My house has twenty rooms. You absolutely must visit! Have you ever tried Chinese food?”
That night, the country mouse dreams that she lives in the city. She imagines dining at fancy restaurants, saying sophisticated things, and buying stylish hats from upscale stores. She dreams about enjoying Chinese food. “How wonderful!” she thinks. “I want to live in the city too!”
The next morning, the country mouse agrees to visit the city mouse. She packs her bag and follows the city mouse back to his big house in the city. The house is enormous! There are twenty rooms filled with beautiful furniture. The country mouse is amazed. “Which room is mine?” she asks. “Um… we actually live down here…” says the city mouse. He leads her down some stairs to the basement.
In the dim light, the country mouse sees many families of mice. “These are my housemates…” explains the city mouse. He then leads the country mouse back upstairs for dinner. In the dining room, there is a feast of delicious foods on the table: cheese, bread, cookies, cakes, and lemonade. There is also… Chinese food! But just as they start to eat… CRASH! A cat with sharp teeth and claws jumps up on the table. The city cat chases the two mice off the table and across the floor. The mice hide in a hole in the wall. They wait silently until the cat leaves. Then, they quietly creep back to the dining room… but all the food is gone! The city humans have eaten everything!
The country mouse hurries back to the basement and packs her bag. “Where are you going?” asks the city mouse. “Home,” she says. “I want to go back to the country. Your city life isn’t so wonderful after all. Now, please, help me call a taxi.”
**Moral:** Sometimes other people’s lives are not as great as they make you believe.
