The Mouse Cousins The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Mavery Mouse had never been anywhere outside of her little farm in Oklahoma, and that was just fine with her. Life in Oklahoma was simple - she ate simple things, she enjoyed simple fun like snooping around the Farmer's fields, and she lived in a simple roundish hole in the wall of the Farmhouse. Mavery began to wonder, however, whether her cousin Millicent - a big-city mouse from Dallas - would be equally satisfied with the simplicity of country living when she came to visit the next day. Mavery got her answer the moment Cousin Millie saw Mavery's bare little mouse hole
"But where's all your stuff?" Millie asked rather tactlessly
"It's all here," replied Mavery evenly
"Well what is there to do?" Millie practically whined
"We can explore the House. Or the fields. Maybe give the Farmer's wife a good scare," answered Mavery with a snicker.
"Oh you should have come to Dallas, Maves!" began Millicent excitedly, "There's lots to do! They have these gigantic parks where humans go and climb on all these metal contraptions for fun. Some of them spin really fast and some of them look like trains only they go a lot faster than any train I've ever seen! I don't see what's so fun about it because they're always screaming and yelling. But the main thing is that these places have the best food and the humans are always dropping it all over the place! You gotta come see it!"
Mavery didn't have the heart to disappoint her cousin (who really did mean well) so she agreed that they could make the trip to Dallas the next day.
After several days journey, the Mouse cousins arrived at the Big Park in Dallas. It was enormous! And there were all types of food that Mavery had only ever heard about - bread that was twisted up and salted, some sort of sweet that looked like a pink cloud, and puffy white stuff that tasted like butter. Mavery was just about to enjoy some of that pink stuff when she heard a scream.
"EEEEEKKK!! It's a rat!" a woman screamed. Soon there were multiple screams coming from every direction. A man appeared with a giant net and began to run toward Mavery and Millicent. The cousins ran for their lives! Millicent ducked into a small space between two food carts and Mavery followed her. The man with the net had not seen them and ran past. Once the mice had caught their breath, Mavery turned to Millicent.
"There may be more excitement and more to eat here in Dallas, Millie, but I think I like it better in Oklahoma. It's quiet and there's not as much to, but by Golly there's nobody chasing me around with a net!" Millie nodded appreciatively.
"And another thing!" Mavery added indignantly, "We Okies know the difference between a mouse and a rat!
Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter (1919).Web Source:Project Gutenberg
Jada-
ReplyDeleteI was smiling the entire time I was reading your story. This was a really interesting way to incorporate our daily lives here in Oklahoma to the hustle and bustle of the big city of Dallas. I believe you really captured the point of the story and managed to make it your own. Nice Job!
I love this retelling of Aesop's fable. Being an Oklahoma native as well, it was super easy to relate to Mavery's point of view. And I have to say, I could not agree with her more! Being from a small town outside of Tulsa, just living in Norman feels like living in a big city to me. I really like the last line of the story too! I thought it was super cute, and I love being able to identify with things that are unique to us Okies!
ReplyDeleteEven though I am from Texas, I really enjoyed your cute fable about Mavery and Millie! I can certainly relate to it in the fact that I am from a small town in Texas that has dirt back roads and is relatively quiet compared to the feel of Dallas or other big cities. I always feel out of place when I travel into the city. I can also relate to the fact that I couldn't tell you the difference between a mouse and rat, so I guess that must be true of Texans :-) But overall, I think your story really captures the idea about what's more important in life - nice things or a comfortable and happy life and how maybe what works for you isn't always what works for someone else.
ReplyDeleteI love this story. I have always been perplexed as to weather I would like to live in a big city or in a small city more? I have tried both, but I can never seem to decide which I like most... I guess i’ll just have to get two homes :)
ReplyDeleteI also loved the analogy between Oklahoma and Texas! It was very cute and very easy to read. I think you did an excellent job on your story!