Third Grade Lesson 2 5 min. Vocabulary 1. Have students read Country Mouse and City Mouse. 2. Many words sound the same, but they have different spellings and meanings. These words were in the text we just read: there, sun, bored, some, too, no, and heard. What words can you think of that sound like these but are spelled differently and have different meanings? (their or they re, son, board, sum, to or two, know, and herd) 3. Think of other examples. Write them on a sheet of paper. (Possible responses: by/buy/bye; right/write; site/sight; red/read; led/lead; deer/dear; hear/here; pin/pen) 4. Explain to students that these words are called homophones. Copyright 2006 by Voyager Expanded Learning, L.P. Vocabulary 1
Country Mouse, City Mouse Country Mouse was a plain, kind little mouse. He lived a simple life under the brush at the foot of a great tree. His was a cozy little home. He had planned and built it himself. The kitchen held stores of food and drink. There was a tiny table with two chairs. In the bedroom, there were twig hooks for hanging the few pieces of clothing he owned. The bed was a mound of dry grass on a twig frame. His blanket was a swag of moss. His favorite room was the tiny parlor. Some of his happiest times were spent there. It was where he often shared light meals and chatted with friends. Country Mouse loved his home. It wasn t much, but it was all his own. It was also quite safe. It was well hidden from many of the dangers of the woods. Country Mouse had a good friend who lived in the city. City Mouse was anything but plain. He dressed in city clothes and shoes. He ate city foods. He lived the city life.
City Mouse s home was a hole in the wall of a great house of humans. He had only one room but it was a nice one. In it, he had a bed of the softest cotton. It was a wonderful bed. City Mouse dressed himself each day in front of a fine mirror. It was a small, shiny bronze tray that he had dragged in from the kitchen. He had several sets of clothes made from the cloth scraps the humans left lying around. He dined out each day on bits of the finest cheese and meats. There were also olives, bread, fruit, and nuts. Life was good for City Mouse. It was also fast. He had to be quick about all of his business. He spent his days darting here for a nibble, there for a quick chat with other city mice. He was always watchful, always ready to dash. That was life in the city. His was not the slow, dull life that Country Mouse lived. Country Mouse had not seen his friend City Mouse in a long time. He sent word by the birds that lived among the branches above him inviting his friend for a visit. City Mouse agreed to come. When he arrived, Country Mouse ushered City Mouse into his little parlor. He gave his friend the best seat in the house. It was a little chair carved from a tree knot. Country Mouse had shaped cushions from the most tender grasses and moss that he could find. They ate from his best eggshell bowls and drank from his strongest nutshell cups. He served his guest wild peas and berries with dewdrop tea. They finished the meal with nuts dipped in honeysuckle syrup.
Country Mouse was so glad to have City Mouse in his home, he did not notice the way his friend looked at the chair he offered. He did not see the odd twitch of City Mouse s whiskers as he sat down to the simple meal. Soon after nibbling a few bites, City Mouse said, My friend, I thank you for your kindness, but I must ask. Are you not bored? This is all very pleasant, but also quite dull. Don t you want to know life in the city? Country Mouse had indeed often dreamed of what life must be like outside the woods where he lived. He imagined that his friend lived in the most exciting of worlds. He said, I have thought of it from time to time, but surely that is not the life for me. I cannot imagine it. Stop dreaming, said City Mouse. Come with me and live the life! At that, he began to tease his friend with stories about food and fancy parties. At last, he stood and said, Come home with me. I ll show you the city life. It will be so grand. This was his chance. Country Mouse would see the city! They left right away. The world was very different beyond the edge of the woods. The sun beamed down on them from everywhere, it seemed. Country Mouse was awed by the changing landscape as they neared the city. Trees disappeared. In their places, stood buildings, the homes of humans and other creatures who lived in the city.
City Mouse took him into one of the buildings. Just inside the door, they paused. City Mouse turned and said, This is my home. We must go quietly from here. Quiet in one s own home? Country Mouse was puzzled, but thought it best to say nothing. He followed City Mouse as they tiptoed around first one corner and then another. They came to a rather large crack in the bottom of a wall and went in. Welcome to my home, said City Mouse proudly. He no longer spoke in the quiet voice. Country Mouse looked around. He saw the bed, the clothes, and the mirror. It is very nice, he said. Are all the rooms as fine as this one? Oh, no, answered City Mouse. I have no other rooms. I had hoped to sit and share a meal with you, said Country Mouse. Where shall we eat? What shall we eat? I am quite hungry now that we are here. Not to worry, City Mouse said. As he spoke, he crept back to the opening in the wall and poked his nose out to sniff the air. We will enjoy a fine meal very soon. As soon as oh, yes, very soon. He jumped back suddenly as if surprised by something. He seemed nervous. What is it, friend? wondered Country Mouse. What is wrong? He started for the opening to have a look for himself. City Mouse stopped him. No, we mustn t go out just now. In a moment, it will be safe.
But we are in your home, said the puzzled Country Mouse. What danger can find us here? Let us go and have that meal now, wherever it is. Then, City Mouse made things clear. In another part of the house was a room filled with the most wonderful foods. There were fancy bits of meat and cheeses. There were breads and delightful cakes. Anything a mouse might want to eat could be found there. It was all there for them to enjoy after they got past one thing. It was a very real danger that lurked outside the wall. It was a cat! Country Mouse thought it was terrible. Do you mean to say in order to find food you must risk being killed? Do all mice who live in the city face this risk? Before City Mouse could answer, he went on. I m afraid this is too much for me. My life in the woods may be boring. It may be dull. But, I am safe there. I do not have to whisper in my own home. I have all the food I need, and I can enjoy it without the risk of being killed while I eat. It was kind of you to invite me here, City Mouse. But, I think that when the danger passes, I ll be on my way back home. I would rather eat simple foods in peace and safety than fancy meats and cheeses with danger always lurking near. Country Mouse waited near the opening of the wall. When he sniffed the air and found it safe, he quickly thanked City Mouse. Then, he hurried back to the woods as fast as his legs could carry him.