The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
In a snug little cot lived a fat little mouse,
Who enjoyed, unmolested, the range of the house;
With plain food content, she would breakfast on cheese,
She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas.
A friend from the town to the cottage did stray.
And he said he was come a short visit to pay:
So the mouse spread her table as gay as you please,
And brought the nice bacon and charming grey peas.
The visitor frowned, and he thought to be witty:
Cried he. “You must know, I come from the city,
Where we all should be shocked at provisions like these,
For we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas.
“To town come with me, I will give you a treat:
Some excellent food, most delightful to eat.
With me shall you feast just as long as you please;
Come, leave this fat bacon and shocking grey peas.”
This kind invitation she could not refuse,
And the city mouse wished not a moment to lose;
Reluctant she quitted the fields and the trees.
The delicious fat bacon and charming grey peas.
They slily crept under a gay parlour door,
Where a feast had been given the evening before;
And it must be confessed they on dainties did seize,
Far better than bacon, or even grey peas.
Here were custard and trifle, and cheese cakes good store,
Nice sweetmeats and jellies, and twenty things more;
All that art had invented the palate to please.
Except some fat bacon and smoking grey peas.
They were nicely regaling, when into the room
Came the dog and the cat, and the maid with a broom:
They jumped in a custard both up to their knees;
The country mouse sighed for her bacon and peas.
Cried she to her friend. “Get me safely away.
I can venture no longer in London to stay;
For if oft you receive interruptions like these,
Give me my nice bacon and charming grey peas.
“Your living is splendid and gay, to be sure,
But the dread of disturbance you ever endure;
I taste true delight in contentment and ease,
And I feast on fat bacon and charming grey peas.”
-Richard Scrafton Sharpe
गाउँको मुसा र शहरको मुसा
एउटा सानो आरामदायी घरमा, बस्थी मोटी सानी मुसा,
जसले घरभित्र निर्धक्क बस्थी, उसको संसार खासै ठूला चाह थिएन।
सादा भोजनमै खुशी, बिहान चिज खान्थी,
बिहान-बेलुकी बेकन, र राती खैरो केराउ खाँदै आनन्द मान्थी।
शहरबाट उसको साथी गाउँतिर आउँछ,
भन्दैछ—”म सानो भेटघाटका लागि आएको हुँ।”
त्यसपछि मुसाले खुसीले मेज सजाई,
स्वादिलो बेकन र मनमोहक केराउ ल्याई।
शहरको मुसाले मुख बिगार्दै भन्यो,
“मैले शहरमा यस्तो खाना कहिल्यै खाएको छैन,
हामी त यस्ता बेकन र केराउलाई घिनलाग्दो ठान्छौं,
तिमी मेरो संगतमा शहर जाउ, म स्वादिष्ट भोज देखाउँछु।”
त्यो निम्तालाई गाउँकी मुसाले अस्वीकार गर्न सकिन,
र तुरुन्तै शहरको साथीले बाटो लियो।
उसले मन मारेर खेत र बगैंचाको रमाइलो छोडी,
आफ्नो प्रिय बेकन र केराउ परित्याग गरी।
शहरको सुन्दर कोठामा चुपचाप पस्दा,
त्यहाँ हिजो मात्र भोज भएको थियो।
त्यहाँ अनेक मीठा परिकार थिए,
बेकन र केराउभन्दा अझ आकर्षक, मीठा मिठाइहरूले भरिएका।
कस्टर्ड, ट्राइफल, चिज केक,
जेल्ली र मिठाइहरूको ढेर थिए।
कला र विलासले सजिएको त्यो भोजन,
तर त्यहाँ बेकन र केराउ थिएनन्।
उनीहरू मजाले खाँदै गर्दा, अचानक आयो संकट,
कुकुर र बिरालो, र झाडू लिएर नोकरानी।
उनीहरू डराएर कस्टर्डमा खस्दा,
गाउँकी मुसाले बेकन र केराउ सम्झेर सुस्केरा हालिन्।
उनी चिच्याइन्—”मलाई यहाँबाट सुरक्षित निकाल,
लन्डनमा म अब बस्न सक्दिन।
यदि हरेकचोटि यस्तो डरले सताउँछ भने,
मलाई मेरो बेकन र केराउ नै देऊ।”
“तिम्रो जीवन त चम्किलो र विलासी छ,
तर सधैं डर र अशान्तिले घेरिएको छ।
म त सच्चा आनन्द सादगी र शान्तिमा पाउँछु,
र मेरो भोज बेकन र केराउमै रमाइलो हुन्छ।”
— Richard Scrafton Sharpe
Analysis/Summary of the poem
The poem is a fable about the dangers of greed and the importance of being content with what you have. The country mouse, who is content with her plain but satisfying meals, is contrasted with the city mouse, who is constantly seeking more and never satisfied. The moral of the story is that true happiness comes not from material possessions or luxury but from being content with what you have.
The first stanza of the poem introduces the reader to the country mouse, who lives in a “snug little cot” and simple life with plain food. The stanza creates a sense of warmth and comfort, as the mouse is described as “fat” and “unmolested.” This sets the stage for the contrast with the city mouse, who lives in a more luxurious and extravagant environment.
In the second stanza, the poem introduces the city mouse, who is a friend of the country mouse. The city mouse has come to visit the country mouse and is shocked by her plain food. The poem creates a sense of tension between the two mice, as the city mouse looks down upon the country mouse’s food and offers to take her to the city to try some “excellent food, most delightful to eat.”
The third stanza describes the country mouse’s decision to accept the invitation and travel to the city with her friend. The stanza creates a sense of excitement and anticipation, as the country mouse is eager to try new foods and experience a different way of life.
The fourth stanza describes the two mice sneaking into a fancy room where a feast had been held the night before. The stanza creates a sense of decadence and indulgence, as the mice gorge themselves on custards, trifle, cheesecakes, and other delicacies. However, their feast is interrupted by the arrival of the dog, cat, and maid with a broom, and the country mouse becomes frightened and longs to return to her simple life in the countryside.
The final stanza of the poem is the moral of the story. The country mouse reflects on her experience in the city and realizes that true happiness comes not from material possessions or luxury but from being content with what you have. The poem ends on a note of wisdom and reflection, as the country mouse values her simple life and plain food above the extravagance of the city.
The poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the reader’s perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a critique of the excesses of city life and a celebration of the virtues of rural life. The poem suggests that the simplicity and humility of the country mouse’s lifestyle is more rewarding than the decadence and extravagance of the city mouse’s lifestyle.
The poem can also be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of leaving one’s comfort zone and venturing into unfamiliar territory. The country mouse, who is content with her simple life in the countryside, is lured away by the promise of new experiences and the allure of the city. However, she quickly realizes that the city is not all it
The experience of the city mouse and the country mouse highlights the contrast between the pleasures of city and country living. The city mouse lives in luxury, surrounded by delicious food, but also must endure the constant threat of danger from the various predators that inhabit the city. On the other hand, the country mouse leads a simple life but is free from the distractions and dangers of city life.
The poem, therefore, teaches us to appreciate the simple things in life and to find contentment in what we have. The country mouse’s simple life may seem unremarkable compared to the city mouse’s luxury, but it brings her genuine happiness, unlike the city mouse who must always be on guard against potential dangers.
Furthermore, the poem highlights the importance of cultural diversity and respecting differences in opinions and tastes. The city mouse and the country mouse have different lifestyles and preferences, and the poem shows that there is no right or wrong way to live. What matters most is finding joy and contentment in our own lives and respecting others
In conclusion, “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse” is a timeless tale that teaches us to find contentment and happiness in our own lives, appreciate the simple things in life, and respect others differences. The poem’s universal message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, and it continues to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Book Exercise
A. Match the following words with their correct meanings.
a. snug – iv. warm, comfortable and protected, especially from the cold
b. unmolested – ix. not disturbed or attacked by anything
c. stray – i. move away aimlessly from the place where one should be
d. frown – x. a facial expression indicating disapproval or displeasure
e. horrid – ii. very unpleasant, rough
f. reluctant – iii. unwilling and hesitant
g. custard – v. a sweet yellow sauce made from milk, sugar, eggs, and flour
h. trifle – vii. a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit
i. regale – vi. entertain or amuse somebody with a talk
j. endure – viii. to deal with something painful or unpleasant
B. Write whether the following statements are true or false.
a. True – The country mouse was content and happy with her simple and modest way of living.
b. False – The country mouse enjoyed plain and simple food, not a grand meal every day.
c. True – The town mouse was unhappy with the food served in the country.
d. True – The town mouse invited the country mouse for a dinner in the town.
e. True – In the town, the country mouse was served delicious food.
f. True – There was no peace for the mice in the town as they were constantly interrupted and faced threats from the dog, cat, and maid.
C. Answer these questions.
a. How did the country mouse live?
Answer : The country mouse lived in a snug little cot and enjoyed a simple life.
b. Why did the town mouse go to the country?
Answer : The town mouse went to the country to pay a short visit to the country mouse.
c. Was the country mouse happy to get an invitation to visit the town? Why?
Answer : Yes, the country mouse was happy to get an invitation to visit the town because she was curious about the town and wanted to experience something different.
d. What happened while the mice were having dinner?
Answer : While the mice were having dinner, the dog, cat, and maid entered the room, causing a disturbance and creating chaos.
e. What did the country mouse request her friend for?
Answer : The country mouse requested her friend to safely take her away from the town as she couldn’t endure the interruptions and disturbances and longed for her simple life with bacon and peas.
25 Extra Question For Exam
A . Answer the following questions:
a. Where did the fat little mouse live?
Answer : The fat little mouse lived in a snug little cot.
b. What would the little mouse breakfast on?
Answer : The little mouse would breakfast on cheese.
c. What would she dine upon?
Answer : She would dine upon bacon.
d. What did she sup on?
Answer : She supped on grey peas.
e. Who came from the town?
Answer : A friend from the town came to visit.
f. What did she serve him?
Answer : She served the visitor bacon and grey peas.
g. Why was the visitor frowned?
Answer : The visitor frowned because he disapproved of the simple provisions.
h. What did he promise to serve after inviting to town?
Answer : He promised to serve her excellent food in the town.
i. Why could she not refuse his invitation?
Answer : She could not refuse his invitation because it seemed tempting.
j. Where did they slily creep?
Answer : They slily crept under a gay parlour door.
k.What had happened in the parlour?
Answer : In the parlour, there had been a feast the evening before.
l. Which things did they find in the parlour?
Answer : They found custard, trifle, cheese cakes, sweetmeats, jellies, and more in the parlour.
m. Who came into the room when they were nicely regaling?
Answer : When they were nicely regaling, the dog, the cat, and the maid with a broom entered the room.
n. What happened when they saw the dog, the cat, and the maid with a broom?
Answer : When they saw the dog, the cat, and the maid with a broom, they jumped into a custard up to their knees.
o. What did she tell her friend by crying?
Answer : She cried to her friend to get her safely away from the disturbances in the city.
p. What did she tell about his living in the town?
Answer : She told her friend that his living in the town was splendid and gay but filled with the dread of disturbances.
q. Why did she want to go back to the country?
Answer : She wanted to go back to the country for contentment, ease, and to feast on fat bacon and charming grey peas.
r. Who is the main character in the story?
Answer :- The main character is the country mouse.
s. What kind of food did the country mouse initially enjoy in her cottage?
Answer :- The country mouse enjoyed plain food like bacon and grey peas in her cottage.
t. Why did the city mouse invite the country mouse to the town?
Answer : The city mouse invited the country mouse to the town to treat her to better and more luxurious food.
u. What was the city mouse’s opinion of the country mouse’s food?
Answer : The city mouse thought that the country mouse’s food, such as bacon and grey peas, was horrid and not suitable for city mice.
v. What type of food did the city mouse introduce the country mouse to in the town?
Answer : The city mouse introduced the country mouse to a feast with delicious and luxurious foods like custard, trifle, cheese cakes, sweetmeats, and more.
w. What unfortunate event happened while the mice were enjoying their feast in the town?
Answer : The dog and the cat, along with the maid with a broom, interrupted their feast by entering the room and causing a disturbance.
x. What did the country mouse long for when faced with the disturbances in the town?
Answer : The country mouse longed to return to her cottage in the countryside and her simple, but peaceful, diet of bacon and grey peas.
y. How did the story emphasize the difference in lifestyles between the country mouse and the city mouse?
Answer : The story emphasized the contrast between the country mouse’s contentment with a simple life and plain food, and the city mouse’s desire for luxury and fine dining.
z. What was the moral or lesson conveyed by the story?
Answer : The story teaches the lesson that simple pleasures and contentment can be more enjoyable than pursuing extravagant but risky experiences.
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