The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Find out what happens when Town Mouse comes to the country and Country Mouse goes to the town. This richly illustrated series of retold fairy tales for children aged 5-12 years old will bring an extra dimension to your English teaching. With listening, speaking, reading, writing, and drama activities, Classic Tales graded readers make it easy for you to create complete language lessons around a popular and engaging traditional tale.
Story Summary
A Visit in the Country
One day, Town Mouse visits his friend Country Mouse in the countryside. Country Mouse is happy to see him and offers him country food. There is a lot to eat, but Town Mouse finds the food strange and only eats a little. At night, Country Mouse gives his own bed to Town Mouse. However, Town Mouse cannot sleep because the bed feels strange, the room is very dark, and it is very quiet. The next morning, they go to get food, but Town Mouse gets wet from the long grass. He even sees a cow for the first time and is surprised.
The Journey to Town
Town Mouse tells Country Mouse that he likes the town better because it is warm, dry, and full of food. He invites Country Mouse to visit him. The next day, they see a cart going to town and quickly climb aboard. Soon they arrive at Town Mouse’s home. Town Mouse is happy to be back, but Country Mouse finds the town noisy and full of people. The house is large, and when Country Mouse hears the clock for the first time, he is surprised. Town Mouse invites him to eat, but again the food seems strange to Country Mouse.
A Strange Night in Town
That night, Town Mouse offers his bed to Country Mouse. But the bed feels strange to him. He cannot sleep because it is not dark, and there is a lot of noise from the street. In the morning, Town Mouse is ready to get food, but a cat is waiting outside, so they cannot leave. Country Mouse is not used to such danger. When the cat finally goes away, they go out, but Country Mouse sees some cheese and runs to it. Town Mouse quickly warns him to stop, because it is a trap. Country Mouse begins to think more about home.
Different Tastes
Town Mouse asks Country Mouse if he likes the town. Country Mouse says it is interesting and different, but he likes the country better because it is quiet and safe. Town Mouse understands and says they like different things. The next day, they see a cart going to the country. Country Mouse decides to return home. They say goodbye to each other, and Town Mouse asks him to write. Although they are friends, they know they enjoy different ways of life and feel happiest in their own homes.
Home Again
Soon, Country Mouse is back in his own home. He sits by the fire and feels happy to be there. The country is quiet, warm, and safe, just the way he likes it. He remembers his visit to the noisy town, the strange food, the bright nights, and the dangerous cat. Although it was interesting, he knows he belongs in the countryside. He thinks about his friend Town Mouse and smiles, knowing they can still be good friends even if they live in very different worlds.
Story Vocabulary Quiz
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Story Quiz
Sue Arengo
A Storyteller for Young Learners of English
Sue Arengo is a British author who writes wonderful stories for children learning English. She has worked with Oxford University Press for over 20 years, creating books that are fun and easy to read. Many of her books are part of graded reader series like Classic Tales, Dominoes, and Oxford Bookworms.
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