The Country Mouse &The City Mouse [Countries & Towns] - NEB English Class 10 Exercise

The Country Mouse and the City Mouse is a classic poem by Richard Scrafton Sharpe that explores the age-old debate between rural peace and urban luxury. Below, you will find the complete text, a detailed summary, and all the exercise solutions for the Class 10 NEB English curriculum.

The Poem Text

In a snug little cot lived a fat little mouse,
Who enjoyed, unmolested, the range of the house;
With plain food content, she would breakfast on cheese,
She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas.

A friend from the town to the cottage did stray,
And he said he was come a short visit to pay;
So the mouse spread her table as gay as you please,
And brought the nice bacon and charming grey peas.

The visitor frowned, and he thought to be witty:
Cried he, " You must know, I am come from the city,
Where we all should be shocked at provisions like these,
For we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas.

" To town come with me, I will give you a treat:
Some excellent food, most delightful to eat.
With me shall you feast just as long as you please;
Come, leave this fat bacon and shocking grey peas. "

This kind invitation she could not refuse,
And the city mouse wished not a moment to lose;
Reluctant she quitted the fields and the trees,
The delicious fat bacon and charming grey peas.

They slily crept under a gay parlour door,
Where a feast had been given the evening before;
And it must be confessed they on dainties did seize,
Far better than bacon, or even grey peas.

Here were custard and trifle, and cheesecakes good store,
Nice sweetmeats and jellies, and twenty things more;
All that art had invented the palate to please,
Except some fat bacon and smoking grey peas.

They were nicely regaling, when into the room
Came the dog and the cat, and the maid with a broom:
They jumped in a custard both up to their knees;
The country mouse sighed for her bacon and peas.

Cried she to her friend, " Get me safely away,
I can venture no longer in London to stay;
For if oft you receive interruptions like these,
Give me my nice bacon and charming grey peas.

" Your living is splendid and gay, to be sure,
But the dread of disturbance you ever endure;
I taste true delight in contentment and ease,
And I feast on fat bacon and charming grey peas." Aesop

Summary of the Poem

The poem tells the story of two mice, one living in the countryside and the other in the city. The first mouse lives in a "snug little cot" and enjoys a simple life with plain food, such as cheese, bacon, and grey peas. The second mouse, who visits from the city, looks down upon the country mouse's food and offers to take her to the city to try some "excellent food, most delightful to eat."

The country mouse accepts the invitation and travels to the city with her friend. They sneak into a fancy room where a feast had been held the night before, and the two mice gorge themselves on custards, trifles, cheesecakes, and other delicacies. However, their feast is interrupted by the arrival of the dog, cat, and maid with a broom, and the country mouse becomes frightened and longs to return to her simple life in the countryside.

Detail Interpretation

The poem is a commentary on the dangers of greed and the importance of being content with what you have. The country mouse, who is content with her simple life and plain food, represents the virtues of contentment and humility, while the city mouse, who is constantly seeking more and never satisfied, represents the vices of greed and extravagance.

The final stanza of the poem is the moral of the story. The country mouse reflects on her experience in the city and realizes that true happiness comes not from material possessions or luxury but from being content with what you have. The poem ends on a note of wisdom and reflection, as the country mouse values her simple life and plain food above the extravagance of the city.

Major Points to Remember:

1. The poem contrasts the lifestyles of a country mouse and a city mouse.
2. The country mouse enjoys plain food like bacon and grey peas.
3. The city mouse invites the country mouse to experience city luxuries.
4. Interruptions (dog, cat, maid) prove the city is not peaceful.
5. The universal message is to find joy in contentment and respect others' choices.

A. Vocabulary Matching

Word	Correct Meaning
a. snug	iv. warm, comfortable and protected, especially from the cold
b. unmolested	ix. not disturbed or attacked by anything
c. stray	i. move away aimlessly from the place where one should be
d. frown	x. a facial expression indicating disapproval or displeasure
e. horrid	ii. very unpleasant, rough
f. reluctant	iii. unwilling and hesitant
g. custard	v. a sweet yellow sauce made from milk, sugar, eggs, and flour
h. trifle	vii. a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit
i. regale	vi. entertain or amuse somebody with talk
j. endure	viii. to deal with something painful or unpleasant

B. True or False

Statement	Status
a. The country mouse was happy with the way she was living.	False
b. The country mouse enjoyed the grand meal every day.	False
c. The town mouse wanted to be more satisfied with the food he was served.	True
d. The town mouse invited the country mouse for dinner in the town.	True
e. In the town, the country mouse was served delicious food.	False
f. There was no peace for the mice in the town.	True

C. Question and Answer

a. How did the country mouse live?

➡ The country mouse lived in a cottage in the fields.

b. Why did the town mouse go to the country?

➡ The town mouse went to the country to visit the country mouse.

c. Was the country mouse happy to get an invitation to visit the town? Why?

➡ Yes, the country mouse was happy to get an invitation to visit the town because she was curious about the town's food and wanted to experience a different lifestyle.

d. What happened while the mice were having dinner?

➡ While the mice were having dinner in the town, the dog, cat, and maid with a broom entered the room and interrupted their meal.

e. What did the country mouse request her friend for?

➡ The country mouse requested her friend to safely take her away from the town because she couldn't tolerate the disturbances and wanted to return to her simple life with bacon and peas.

D. Personal Reflection

➡ Residing in a rural setting provides me with a serene and picturesque lifestyle. Each morning, I am greeted by the melodic chirping of birds, surrounded by crisp, fresh air, and treated to breathtaking landscapes. The vast expanse allows for expansive gardens and outdoor pursuits, fostering an environment of tranquility and seclusion. The close-knit community imparts a strong sense of camaraderie and support. Engaging in activities such as hiking and biking is effortlessly within reach. Despite potential drawbacks, the benefits of living in the countryside contribute to a gratifying and enriching way of life.

Grammar II: Connectives

Fill in using: [because, because of, although, however, despite/in spite of, but]

1. a. Although it was summer, the days were rather cold.
2. b. A piece of stone struck the workman's head; however, he was not hurt.
   
3. c. I like popcorn, but I don't like pizza.
   
4. d. Despite her age, she is still working very hard.
   
5. e. Although Narayan is a skilful worker, he can't read and write very well.
   
6. f. Because petrol had become so expensive, Brian sold his car and bought a motorcycle.
   
7. g. I took a taxi because it was raining.
   
8. h. All flights were cancelled because of the fog.
   
9. i. Despite feeling unwell, she went to school.
   
10. j. Prinja felt cold, although she was wearing a winter coat.

Writing II: Lamidada Village

Describe Lamidada Village as a treasure of natural beauty untouched by modernity.

Lamidada Village, nestled in the Khotang district of Nepal, is a hidden gem that remains untouched by modernity. This village serves as the gateway to the sacred temple of Halesi Mahadev, and its surroundings are enriched with breathtaking natural beauty.

The landscape of Lamidada Village is truly stunning. The village is surrounded by picturesque mountains, offering mesmerizing views to visitors. The agricultural lands are lush and vibrant, showcasing the traditional farming practices of the local community. Traditional houses dot the village, showcasing the architectural heritage and rural charm of the area.

One of the notable features of Lamidada Village is its humble and welcoming villagers. The locals, predominantly from the Rai ethnic group, embody simplicity and warmth. As you walk along the stone-paved path uphill, you will encounter villagers carrying woods from the dense forest, which is abundant in the vicinity. This reflects the village's close connection with nature and its reliance on natural resources. Lamidada stands as a testament to the untouched beauty and simplicity of rural Nepal.