a cozy nest in the hedgerow
and slept in quiet and comfort until morning. In her sleep the
Country Mouse dreamed she was a Town Mouse with all the luxuries
and delights of city life that her friend had described for her.
So the next day when the Town Mouse asked the Country Mouse to go
home with her to the city, she gladly said yes.

When they reached the mansion in which the Town Mouse lived, they
found on the table in the dining room the leavings of a very fine
banquet. There were sweetmeats and jellies, pastries, delicious
cheeses, indeed, the most tempting foods that a Mouse can
imagine. But just as the Country Mouse was about to nibble a
dainty bit of pastry, she heard a Cat mew loudly and scratch at
the door. In great fear the Mice scurried to a hiding place,
where they lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to
breathe. When at last they ventured back to the feast, the door
opened suddenly and in came the servants to clear the table,
followed by the House Dog.

The Country Mouse stopped in the Town Mouse's den only long
enough to pick up her carpet bag and umbrella.

"You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not," she said as
she hurried away, "but I prefer my plain food and simple life in
the country with the peace and security that go with it."

_Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear
and uncertainty._

[Illustration: THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE]

[Illustration]

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES

A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from
a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed
ready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth watered as he
gazed longingly at them.

The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump for
it. The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. So he
walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, only
to fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain.

Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.

"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself out to get
a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."

And off he walked very, very scornfully.

_There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is
beyond their reach._

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS

A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever
quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least
good, so he cast about in his mind for