A Short Tale of Mice and Men

This posting is more than about mice, don't worry.

It wasn't until I had begun living in New York City that my view on mice (and rodents in general) crystallized -- it's not uncommon to find them trying to share your residence, and so I don't like them...at...all. Considering my experience with mice as of late (pipes burst outside my apartment building and somehow caused an exodus of mice from said pipes into said building), I instantly noticed when a friend used a mouse for his e-mail account symbol, and had to ask his rationale. His response: "Sometimes I feel like the Town Mouse."

Remember Aesop's fables? (I wonder why anthropomorphism didn't seem so strange back when I was in elementary school!) He was talking about the character from "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse." I felt like sharing the apt analogy because even though I despise mice and don't identify with that animal, I can relate to the feeling of sometimes putting up with chaos and discomfort to enjoy some of New York City's excitement and finer benefits.

For now, I have the energy and interest to stay in the "Town," but someday I'll probably be ready to agree with the Country Mouse (although he’s fearful, and I’m not fearful living here): "Yes," he replied. "Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear."