Last night my grandson spent the night with me, something that doesn’t happen all that often. Earlier in the day I had visited the library and picked up a book for the little ones. Before bed he selected a story he wanted me to read to him, what a surprise it was for me to take a lesson away from a child’s story. I thought I would share what I learned with you.
story illustration
This is the story of The City Mouse and the Country Mouse (an Aesop fable) The city mouse arrives to visit his cousin the country mouse who is excited to have company. The country mouse invites his relative to join him for dinner.
Dinner setting was simple as two silver thimbles were pulled up to a spool of thread which served as two chairs and a table. Dinner was equally simple: ripe peas from a pod and kernels of corn found in a leftover can in the barnyard.
The city mouse appalled with the simple food invites his cousin, the country mouse, to join him in the city to see how the other half lives.
Arriving at his home in the city, the city mouse instructs his cousin on stealth moving about in the home he lives in. When he is sure the coast is clear they climb the beautiful dining room table to find all kinds of leftovers waiting for them.
The table, beautiful with its crystal glasses and expensive silver. The amount and variety of the food was more than the country mouse had ever seen. A big fat ham with plenty of meat still on the bone, bowls with sweet potatoes and broccoli, crumbs of a delicious chocolate cake, along with apple cores, orange peels, a few bunches of grapes. There were bowls of jams, plates of cheese, and slices of bread.
Just as the two mice began to enjoy their feast they began to hear growls and other noises coming towards them. The city mouse hurried his cousin to safety from the two dogs and cat which had sensed their presence and were about to attack.
The poor country mouse had never been so afraid, or in so much danger, in all his life. While the city mouse watched for the cat and dogs to leave to return to the dining table for his feast the country mouse ran away in fright, all the way home to the country where he felt safe and sound.
Like any of the Aesop Fables this one too had a moral at the end of the story, it read:
The moral of the story is: Sometimes the plainest and simplest things are still better than the richest and finest.
I realized as I was reading this story to my grandson how close this comes to life as we know it today. We can live in areas fearful for our safety from the crime around us. We can buy all the most expensive toys and gadgets then lock ourselves indoors away from the crime we sense outside our door and pay for alarms to protect our things.
We can live with the stress that comes from modern living and over-scheduling of our time to have all these wonderful things. Or we take stock of our lives, decide what we really need to be happy. Often it won’t be the magnificent things we thought we needed that make us the happiest.
Have you found lessons in children’s stories, as well? Which ones stayed with you?
What a wonderful story, I have never read that book, and how true, especially in todays world.
I seem to remember it from when my own children were little, but it was buried some where in my subconscious and wasn’t until last night that the lesson came back to me.
Overscheduling is still a problem. But I do feel safer in my ‘shady’ neighbourhood, as I know that my home has limited gadgets and things with good resale value. It certainly won’t stop someone breaking in, but I won’t get any repeat thieves that’s for sure!
You know that’s how I look at it too. While I wouldn’t classify my neighborhood as shady, and sorry you do, having less does give me the sense of safety that my things aren’t attractive to someone looking for ways to make a few quick bucks.
I love Aesop’s fables. I was so proud when my son borrowed a volume from his school library. I love the old stories and my son (who is 12 now) like to track a story to its earliest origins. My favorite kids stories are the Violet Mackerel series. Written for small children they are about what you are talking about. Subtly and gently exploring our rich “inner” world and the joy that comes from other people rather than “stuff”. Loved your post.
I’ve never heard of the Violet Mackerel series, but will definitely see if I can find them. I would like to have more stories for the little ones around as they grow to give them something to think about.
So your son has the makings of an archeologist? My eldest son was the same way, and even dreamed of a career in archeology and anthropology until he learned there were no jobs other than teaching available.
Classics are always relative to current times. The lesson you share in this classic is pertainent to a situation in my life this very moment. Thank you for sharing.
Some of my many favorite children’s books are; “Oh the Places You Will Go” by Dr. Seuss, “So Many Cats” By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, and I love all AA Milne’s Pooh books! Even though my daughter is grown and gone, I still have a shelf full of children’s books. I take a few off the shelf for bedtime reading occassionally.
Thank you Terri, for sharing your favorite titles. I Love Dr. Seuss books and the Pooh ones as well. I don’t know the Beatrice Schenk de Regnier’s one, I will have to look for that.
I had gotten rid of all my children’s books, movies and games thinking I didn’t need them any longer. Then the grand children came along. At first I picked up a few from yard sales but they soon grew tired of them, now I only buy a book when they repeatedly keep borrowing it from the library, it’s a sure bet then the money will be well spent.
What a wonderful lesson. The grass is not always greener on the other side. On the other hand, why build a China wall around you, which prevents you from exploring the outside world? I guess we feel safer in our confort zones. Great story. Blessings.
Good point, I think we need to explore what is out there, I have lived in several states in the city and country and like where I am now best. I also like that some stories show a simple life can be comfortable instead of deprivation.
Just like you, I have lived in severals states also. Love where we live. I hope to publish a children’s story that I wrote two years ago. It’s called, “A Kitten Named Kit.” Trying to get my wife to illustrate it. Cute story with a wonderful message. By the way, I do love your posts. Blessings.
A Kitten named Kit…any story about kittens or cats is like a magnet to my grand daughter. Good luck getting your wife to illustrate and getting it published.
Thank you I’m glad you enjoy my posts, hope to get to know you better.
The Little Prince is one of the many influences on my philosophy by Saint-Exupéry.
I had forgotten the Little Prince, thanks for reminding me of it.
My favourite children’s picture book is probably Sheila Rae the Brave by Kevin Henkes (and I like his other books, too, such as Chrysanthemum). Some of the older picture books are a little TOO moralistic – if we all listened to Peter Rabbit, we’d never have any adventures
Still love Beatrix Potter’s illustrations, though.
Beatrix Potter’s book do have amazing illustrations. I haven’t heard of Sheila Rae or Kevin Henkes, but I am making a library list of all the wonderful suggestions, thanks for adding your favorites too.
My brain and fingers just aren’t working today I meant by Kevin Henkes, sorry about that.
Three good children’s books for simplifiers are: A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams, Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and Barbara Cooney, and The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor. My sister had her first grandchild 7 months ago and has become a “children’s book with a message” sleuth!
Hi Kate, nothing like having a new baby join the family to lead us to a new mission in life. Your sister definitely found an interesting one. I’ve read Ox-Cart Man, but not the other ones. Thanks for the suggestions they are going on my list of books to find.
I love Cynthia Rylant’s picture books. They are perfectly written with just a few words that evoke many mental images and emotions.
I thought I had a pretty good idea of what books were out there for children, but obviously from the suggestions I have received from everyone I am definitely behind the times in knowing how many good children’s authors are out there. I haven’t heard of Cynthia Rylant either. I’m definitely adding her name to my list. I am surprised by the huge number of good children’s books out there since my boys were young. Thank you for the suggestion.
We have that book, too! It was my husband’s when he was a kid. I felt the same way you did when I read it. Love the simple message. : )
Sandy, what a great story to hold on to from childhood. The children have had me read it to them several times already. I hope that the example I am setting and the stories they hear will help them make more informed choices on what they want their lives to be like when they are adults.
Hi! I just started following your blog. I’m 28 years old and just recently moved to an apartment that’s slightly smaller than your 300 square feet apartment.
I used to read and reread this same fable when I was a child.I am just starting to live smaller and live freer and I am glad many people are also doing the same thing. Cheers!
It’s good to have you here, I would love to see how you make your apartment work and feel like home. I love to hear about younger people who are finding simpler lives, you will have so many more years to enjoy life this way.
I loved this post, it brought back such fond memories of reading this book as a child. I’d forgotten all about it, thanks for reminding me. It’s a fable which hasn’t dated with it’s message and I loved your thoughts at the end too.
We forget so many things over the years, I’m glad I reminded you of a loved story.