A city mouse being once entertained at the table of a country one, dined on humble acorns in a hole. Afterwards he prevailed upon the countryman by his entreaties to enter the city and a cellar that abounded with the choicest things. Here, while they were enjoying remnants of various kinds, the door is thrown open, and in comes the butler; the mice, terrified at the noise, fly in different directions, 458 and the city one easily hides himself in his well-known holes; while the unfortunate rustic, all trepidation in that strange house, and dreading death, runs to-and-fro along the walls. When the butler had taken what he wanted, and had shut the door, the city mouse bade the country one again to take courage. The latter, still in a state of perturbation, replied: "I hardly can take any food for fear. do you think he will come?" -"Why are you in such a fright?" Said the city one; "Come, let us enjoy dainties which you may seek in vain in the country." The countryman replied: "You, who don't know what it is to fear, will enjoy all these things; but, free from care and at liberty, may acorns be my food!" 
'tis better to live secure in poverty, than to be consumed by the cares attendant upon riches. 