One warm summer day, the Country Mouse woke up bright and early. He stretched his paws, sniffed the sweet smell of hay, and smiled at the peaceful fields outside his burrow. Life was simple here—lots of fresh berries to nibble, streams to splash in, and soft grass to nap on. But today was special because his cousin, the Town Mouse, was coming to visit. The Country Mouse couldn’t wait to show off his home.

The Town Mouse arrived wearing shiny shoes and carrying a tiny suitcase. "Well, well, this is... quaint," he said, glancing at the burrow’s dirt floor. "Where’s the cheese platter? The fancy crackers?"

The Country Mouse chuckled. "We don’t have cheese platters here, cousin. But we do have wild strawberries! Come on, I’ll show you." He led the Town Mouse to a patch of plump red berries glistening in the sun.

The Town Mouse took a bite and wrinkled his nose. "It’s... fine. But where’s the buttery croissant or the chocolate mousse?"

"Chocolate what?" asked the Country Mouse, giggling. "We don’t have that stuff here. But we do have a beautiful stream. You’ll love it!"

The pair scampered down to the stream, where the Country Mouse showed off his favorite splashing spot. "Isn’t this great?" he asked, playfully dipping his tail.

The Town Mouse stepped back carefully to avoid the water. "It’s... refreshing, I suppose. But back in the city, you’d never catch me in a puddle. We have fountains—stunning ones, with statues!"

The Country Mouse tilted his head. "Fountains? Statues? That sounds fancy. What’s it like in the city, anyway?"

The Town Mouse’s eyes sparkled. "Oh, it’s marvelous! Lights everywhere, tall buildings, and food—glorious food! Why don’t you come visit me? I’ll show you what a real feast is."

The Country Mouse hesitated but nodded. "Alright, cousin. Let’s see this city of yours."

Soon, the mice were on their way. The Town Mouse led his cousin through narrow alleyways until they arrived at a grand dining room in a luxurious house. The table was covered in delicious treats: cheese wheels, tiny cakes, crunchy crackers, and bowls of fruit. The smells were incredible.

"Wow," whispered the Country Mouse. "You weren’t kidding!"

The Town Mouse puffed out his chest. "Go ahead, cousin. Try something!"

The Country Mouse nibbled a crumbly piece of cheese and sighed happily. "This is amazing!"

But just as he reached for a grape, a loud *meow* echoed through the room. A huge cat slinked in, its yellow eyes gleaming.

"Run!" yelled the Town Mouse, bolting for a crack in the wall.

The Country Mouse darted after him, barely making it to safety. "That was close!" he gasped.

"Relax," said the Town Mouse, brushing off his suit. "You just have to be quick! Let’s go back. There’s still cake left."

The Country Mouse shook his head. "No way, cousin! That was terrifying. How do you live like this?"

The Town Mouse smiled sheepishly. "Well, it’s not perfect. But the food sure is good."

The Country Mouse thought for a moment. "I think I like my quiet fields and fresh berries better. No cats, no chase—just peace. But thanks for the adventure, cousin."

The Town Mouse nodded. "Fair enough. Maybe next time, I’ll bring some fancy cheese to your burrow."

The cousins laughed and hugged before bidding each other goodbye.

As the Country Mouse scampered home, he smiled. He knew exactly where he belonged.

Sometimes, the best life isn’t fancy—it’s the one that makes you feel safe and happy.