The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Beneath a big hazel bush, where the roots made a soft little room, lived a country mouse named Folke. One evening, there was a gentle knock at the door. It was his cousin Elis, all the way from the town. 'Welcome, little cousin,' whispered Folke, and he opened the door to the warm autumn evening.

Folke set out the finest things he had. A little acorn bowl, a few sweet raspberries, and a bundle of fresh hay that smelled like summer. 'Taste this, little Elis,' said Folke. Elis chewed quietly and looked around. It was simple, but everything was soft and warm and still.

The next evening, they trotted off to the town because Elis wanted to show his home. In a great big pantry, they found crumbs of cheese and sweet little cakes. But just then a long shadow slipped past the door, and the soft white tip of a whisker peeked into the room. Folke breathed quietly and thought, 'This is not the place for me.'