The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse A Country Mouse invited a Town Mouse, an *intimate* friend, to pay him a visit, and *partake* of his country fare.
As they were on the bare plough-lands, eating their wheat-stalks and roots pulled up from the hedge-row, the Town Mouse said to his friend: "You live here the life of the ants, while in my house is the home of plenty. I am surrounded with every luxury, and if you will come with me, as I much wish you would, you shall have an ample share of my dainties." The Country Mouse was easily persuaded, and returned to town with his friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed before him bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty piece of cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being much delighted at the sight of such good cheer, expressed his satisfaction in warm terms, and *lamented* his own hard fate. Just as they were beginning to eat, some one opened the door, and they both ran off *squeaking*, as fast as they could, to a hole so narrow that two could only find room in it by squeezing. They had scarcely again begun their repast when some one else entered to take something out of a cupboard, on which the two Mice, more frightened than before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the Country Mouse, almost *famished*, thus addressed his friend: "Although you have prepared for me so *dainty* a feast, I must leave you to enjoy it by yourself. It is surrounded by too many dangers to please me." *Moral :** * *"Better a little in safety, than an abundance surrounded by danger."* *"Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear."* ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Word Meanings : ¤ intimate (adjective) : having, or being likely to cause, a very close friendship or personal relationship. ¤ partake (verb) : to eat or drink. ¤ lament (verb) : to express sadness and regret about. ¤ squeak (verb) : to make a short very high cry or sound. ¤ famished (adjective) : extremely hungry. dainty (adjective) : small and graceful. * * * * * * * * * ELC --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "English Learner's Cafe" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/english_learners?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
