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a field mouse had a town mouse for a friend. the field mouse invited the town mouse to dinner in the country. when he saw that there was only barley and corn to eat, the town mouse said: 'do you know, my friend, that you live like an ant? I, on the other hand, have an abundance of good things. come home with me and i will share it all with you.'

so they set off together. the house mouse showed his friends some beans and bread flour, together with some dates, a cheese, honey and fruit. and the field mouse was filled with wonder and blessed him with all his heart, cursing his own lot. just as they were preparing to start their meal, a man suddenly opened the door.
alarmed by the noise, the mice rushed fearfully into the crevices. then, as they crept out again to taste some dried figs, someone else came into the room and started looking for something. so they again rushed down the holes to hide.

then the field mouse, forgetting his hunger, sighed, and said his friend: 'farewell, my friend. you can eat your fill and be glad of heart, but at the price of a thousand fears and dangers. i, poor little thing, will go on living by nibbling barley and corn without fear or suspicion of anyone.