that suited us, to return to the barn where we had enjoyed so many
days of plenty and repose.

Accordingly, one fine moonlight Monday night, after securing our
supper on the corn, we set forth, and travelled for some distance
without any further molestation than our own natural fears
created. At length we came to a brick house, with about five or
six windows in front, and made our way into it through a small
latticed window which gave air into the pantry; but on our arrival
here we had no opportunity of so much as observing what it
contained, for on our slipping down a cat instantly flew at us,
and by the greatest good luck in the world, there chanced to be a
hole in one of the boards of the floor close to the spot where we
stood, into which we both were happy enough to pop, before she
could catch us. Here we had time to reflect, and severely blame
ourselves for not being satisfied with our state in the barn.
'When,' said I, addressing myself to my brother, 'when shall we
grow wise, and learn to know that certain evil always attends
every deviation from what is right. When we disobeyed the advice
of our mother, 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