, and, tempted by cakes
and other dainties, frequently returned to the same dangerous place, how
severely did we suffer for it? And now, by our own discontent, and not
being satisfied when so safely though more humbly lodged, into what
trouble have we not plunged ourselves? How securely have we lived in
the barn for the last seven months, and how happily might we still have
continued there, had it not been for our restless dispositions? Ah! my
brother, we have acted foolishly. We ought to have been contented
when we were at peace, and should have considered that if we had not
everything we could wish for, we had every thing that was necessary;
and the life of a mouse was never designed for perfect happiness. Such
enjoyment was never intended for our lot; it is the portion only of
beings whose capacities are far superior to ours. We ought then to have
been contented; and had we been so, we should have been as happy as our
state of life would have admitted of.' 'What you say is certainly very
true,' replied Longtail, 'and I sincerely wish that we had thought of
these things before. But what must we now do? we said we would return to
the barn in case of difficulties, but that is now impossible, as, if
we attempt to retreat, the cat that drove us in here, will certainly
destroy us; and yet in proceeding, what difficulties must we encounter,
what dangers may we not run! Oh! my beloved Nimble,' continued he, 'what
a life of hazard is ours! to what innumerable accidents are we hourly
exposed! and how is every meal that we eat at the risk of our very
existence!'

'It undoubtedly is,' replied I; 'but with all its troubles we still are
very desirous of preserving it: let us not then, my brother, indulge
our hearts with murmuring and finding fault with that life, which,
notwithstanding all its evils, we value so highly. Rather let us
endeavour to learn experience, and, by conducting ourselves better,
escape many of those troubles which we now suffer.' So saving, I advised
him to follow me: 'for,' added I, 'it is impossible for us to exist in
the spot in which we are at present; we must therefore strive to work
our way into some other house or apartment, where we can at least find
some food.' To this Longtail agreed; the rest of the night, and all the
next day, we spent in nibbling and finding our way into a closet in
the house, which richly repaid us for all our toil, as it contained
sugar-plums, rice, millet, various kinds of swe