Story Creatures: Live

Once upon a time, there lived a little brown mouse in the countryside. He had soft warm fur and big gentle eyes. He lived all by himself in a cozy little home under a hedge. And he was very, very happy.

His home was small but very cozy. There was a tiny bed made of soft leaves, and a little table made from an acorn cap. A warm glow filled the room from a tiny candle. It was the nicest little home you ever saw.

Every day the little country mouse ate simple food. He nibbled on wheat stalks and crunchy acorn nuts. He sipped cool water from a tiny stream nearby. It was plain food, but it always filled his tummy up just right.

During the day, the country mouse played in the meadow. He rolled in the soft grass and chased butterflies. The birds sang sweet songs above him. Life was peaceful and safe and good.

One sunny morning, someone very special came to visit. It was his cousin, the town mouse! The town mouse was tall and sleek and gray. He wore a fancy little blue bow tie and walked with his nose held high.

Cousin! Come in, come in!' said the country mouse with a big smile. He hugged his cousin tightly. 'I am so happy to see you! Please sit down and rest. You must be tired from your long journey.

The country mouse set out his very best food for his cousin. There were crunchy acorns and sweet wheat stalks. There were tiny roots and seeds and a cup of cool fresh water. 'Please, eat as much as you like!' he said proudly.

But the town mouse wrinkled his nose. He nibbled one tiny piece of acorn and pushed it away. 'My dear cousin,' he said, 'how can you eat this plain food? This is what you eat every single day?' He looked quite sad for his cousin.

The town mouse told wonderful stories about the city. 'In my house, we eat cakes and cheese and jellies!' he said. 'There are rooms as big as this whole meadow! Everything sparkles and shines. Oh, cousin, you should see it!

Come back to the city with me!' said the town mouse. 'I will show you how wonderful life can be. You will eat the finest food you have ever tasted.' The country mouse felt a flutter of excitement in his tummy.

So the two little mice set off together down the road. The country mouse looked back at his cozy home one last time. 'Goodbye, little house,' he whispered. Then he scurried along to catch up with his cousin.

After a long journey, they finally reached the town. The country mouse had never seen anything like it! There were tall buildings and bright lights everywhere. The streets were noisy and busy. His little heart beat faster and faster.

The town mouse led his cousin to a very grand house. It had a huge wooden door and tall shining windows. 'This is where I live!' said the town mouse proudly. 'Come inside. Wait until you see the dining room!

Inside, the house was even more amazing. The floors were smooth and shiny. The ceilings were so high the country mouse could barely see them. Thick soft rugs covered the ground. 'Oh my!' whispered the country mouse.

Then the country mouse saw the dining table. His eyes grew as wide as acorn caps! There were cakes with frosting, golden pastries, creamy cheeses, and sparkling jellies of every color. It was the most incredible sight he had ever seen.

The two mice climbed up onto the table. The country mouse took a tiny bite of cake. 'Mmmmm!' It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted! Then he tried the cheese. Then the jelly. Each bite was better than the last!

But then — MEOW! A loud terrible sound came from behind the door. The country mouse froze. His ears went straight up. 'What was that?' he whispered, his voice shaking. His little legs began to tremble.

Quick! Hide!' squeaked the town mouse. The two mice leaped off the table and dove behind a big flower pot. They squeezed in tight and held their breath. A huge cat prowled past, its yellow eyes glowing in the dark.

After what seemed like forever, the cat walked away. The town mouse peeked out carefully. 'It is safe now,' he said. 'Come, let us go back to the feast!' But the country mouse's little paws were still shaking.

They had barely climbed back onto the table when — BANG! The dining room door flew open. In came two huge servants to clear the dishes! The mice scrambled and tumbled off the table in a panic.

They hid under a big wooden cupboard this time. The country mouse was breathing fast. His heart was pounding so hard he thought everyone could hear it. 'Is it always like this?' he asked in a tiny voice.

The country mouse stood up and brushed off his little red scarf. He took a deep breath. 'Cousin, I have made up my mind,' he said. 'This food is wonderful. But I cannot eat when I am so frightened. I want to go home.

I would rather eat plain acorns and simple wheat in peace,' said the country mouse. 'Thank you for showing me the city, dear cousin. But my little home under the hedge is where I belong.' He gave the town mouse a warm hug goodbye.

And so the little country mouse hurried home as fast as his legs could carry him. When he finally reached his cozy hedge, he smiled the biggest smile. He sat down at his little table, ate a simple supper of acorns and wheat, and felt perfectly, wonderfully happy.

And the little country mouse learned that it is much better to have simple food and a peaceful life than to have fancy feasts full of fear. The End.