武太白·白话英语2016-2021文章总目录
上图是用Word 2019检测出来的本故事文本适用年级信息，其中Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level=10.7。一般来说，中国学生的英语阅读能力比英美学生落后4-6年。按照中位值，10.7+5=15.7年级，相当于国内使用人教版统编英语教材的大三大四学生。上海地区的小朋友大一大二即可试读本故事。
事实上，由于题材比较熟悉，上海的初高中生应该都能读懂本故事。
内容提要：田鼠应自己堂兄家鼠的邀约，去他家赴宴。正当他为眼前所见大为赞叹的时候，有人回来了，家鼠立刻担惊受怕地躲了起来。
Town Mouse was very fond of his own appearance.
‘I shall visit my friend Country Mouse,’ he announced one morning, waxing his whiskers with a dab of butter and admiring his reflection in the teapot. ‘And he shall see what a very fine mouse I am!' And with a hop and a skip he straightened his bow tie and scurried off to catch the 10.17 packing crate bound for Paddington station.
Meanwhile, deep in the trunk of an old chestnut tree, Country Mouse was busy dusting and tidying, cleaning and sweeping and cooking an extra special hotpot of beans and corn to welcome his cousin from the city. He had been collecting food all week to celebrate.
There was a loud rap at the door and Country Mouse took off his apron and scampered over to greet his friend.
There on the doorstep stood Town Mouse looking very smart indeed in his pin-stripe suit and bowler hat.
He handed Country Mouse his gloves and bag, looked down his long nose and said, 'What a very small house you have dear cousin… no chandeliers, no Persian rugs…no velvet cushion to rest upon?
Country Mouse smiled, he was very fond of Town Mouse and he ignored his snooty remarks - he knew that he didn’t mean to be rude.
'Come and sit down dear cousin. You must be tired and hungry from your journey,' he said, pulling out a little acorn stool for him to sit on.
'What? No napkins?…no silver service?' Sniffed Town Mouse, 'No scented bowl to wash my paws?'
Country Mouse smiled again and served up the hot soup and barley seed bread.
'What is this food?' Scoffed Town Mouse. ‘No caviar, no steak tartare? No pickled herring and horseradish sauce?! Come my friend, this instant! We’re off to the city and I shall show you how to live!'
It was late that night when they arrived at Town Mouse’s House and as they crept along the hall to the grand dining room Country Mouse felt the soft wool carpet under his tired little paws and the warm glow of the fire and he remembered the cold, bitter wind that blew through his country tree cottage.
And how his little eyes beamed and his whiskers twitched at the sight of the left over feast that was laid out on the table for them to gobble up!
There were soufflés and sandwiches, savoury flans and pastries. There were jellies and trifles and fresh cream cakes and a MOUNTAIN of meringues…
'Couthin…I’b neber seen such a banquet as thith!' cried Country Mouse.
'But this is how you could feast EVERY night, my friend!' laughed Town Mouse.
The two little mice had a very merry time…
Then all of a sudden there was a thunderous ROAR!
‘Wwwwwwwhats that terrible noise Cousin?!' stammered Country Mouse.
'H-h-h-h-hoover?!' cried the terrified little mouse.
'Yes…oh and the Humans…'
And just at that moment the door burst open and in marched a team of kitchen staff with brooms and mops.
WHAT EEZ ZEES?! shouted the French Chef…MEESES! Quick hoover zem up!
Yikes! squeaked Country Mouse as they scampered down the table leg and through a crack in the floorboards. I’m off! he cried as he scurried off under the door.
‘So soon?’ called Town Mouse. ‘No fabulous food? No smart city life?’
'No, no, dear cousin,' called Country Mouse over his shoulder. 'And no loud scary monsters to gobble me up! It’s the simple, safe life at home for me…not the rich, dangerous high life!'
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