Adventures from the Book of Virtues – Episode 33: "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" is a classic animated moral story from the PBS educational series Adventures from the Book of Virtues, produced by PorchLight Entertainment.
In this well-known story, a town mouse visits his cousin in the peaceful countryside and finds the simple life boring. Later, the country mouse travels to the city and experiences luxury, delicious food, and excitement—but also faces serious danger. Through this experience, the mice learn an important lesson: a life filled with riches and excitement is not always better than a life of peace and safety.
Guided by the wise lion Plato, this story teaches children about contentment, gratitude, and appreciating what you have, instead of always chasing wealth or comfort.
Key Lessons in This Episode
Being grateful for what you have
Understanding that safety is more valuable than luxury
Contentment and simple living
Choosing wisely between excitement and peace
Learning from experience
Series Information
Series: Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Episode: 33
Story Title: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Production Company: PorchLight Entertainment
Original Network: PBS
Genre: Educational, Moral Stories, Family, Animated
Language: English
Total Episodes (Series): 39
This episode is perfect for kids, families, and schools, delivering an unforgettable moral lesson through classic animated storytelling.
town mouse and the country mouse book of virtues episode 33 moral story gratitude lesson contentment lesson simple life lesson luxury vs safety story classic fable animated moral tale educational cartoon kids learning pbs cartoon family friendly cartoon english animation virtue learning character building life lessons moral values animated storytelling story time kids moral tales kids educational tv 90s cartoon vintage kids show plato lion zach annie yonder moral lesson animation virtue stories gratitude and contentment ethical values childrens animation classic moral stories animation for school educational content for children family viewing learning through stories animated kids series cartoon compilation cartoon full episode hd kids education safe for kids moral development cartoon wisdom story #AdventuresFromTheBookOfVirtues #BookOfVirtues #TownMouseAndCountryMouse #MoralStory #Gratitude #Contentment #LifeLessons #KidsCartoon #EducationalCartoon #PBSKids #ClassicCartoon #FamilyFriendly #Virtues #AnimatedFable #KidsLearning #StoryTime #CharacterBuilding #EthicalValues #MoralEducation #CartoonFullEpisode #EnglishCartoon #KidsShow #EducationalTV #AnimatedStories #VintageCartoon #90sCartoon #FamilyViewing #LearningCartoon #KidsEntertainment #ValueBasedCartoon #CartoonHD #AnimationForKids #MoralLessons #KidsAnimation #ClassicAnimation #Storytelling #VirtueLearning #CartoonSeries #ChildrensEducation #KidsContent #SafeCartoons #SchoolLearning #EducationalAnimation #KidsMoralStories #PlatoLion
In this well-known story, a town mouse visits his cousin in the peaceful countryside and finds the simple life boring. Later, the country mouse travels to the city and experiences luxury, delicious food, and excitement—but also faces serious danger. Through this experience, the mice learn an important lesson: a life filled with riches and excitement is not always better than a life of peace and safety.
Guided by the wise lion Plato, this story teaches children about contentment, gratitude, and appreciating what you have, instead of always chasing wealth or comfort.
Key Lessons in This Episode
Being grateful for what you have
Understanding that safety is more valuable than luxury
Contentment and simple living
Choosing wisely between excitement and peace
Learning from experience
Series Information
Series: Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Episode: 33
Story Title: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Production Company: PorchLight Entertainment
Original Network: PBS
Genre: Educational, Moral Stories, Family, Animated
Language: English
Total Episodes (Series): 39
This episode is perfect for kids, families, and schools, delivering an unforgettable moral lesson through classic animated storytelling.
town mouse and the country mouse book of virtues episode 33 moral story gratitude lesson contentment lesson simple life lesson luxury vs safety story classic fable animated moral tale educational cartoon kids learning pbs cartoon family friendly cartoon english animation virtue learning character building life lessons moral values animated storytelling story time kids moral tales kids educational tv 90s cartoon vintage kids show plato lion zach annie yonder moral lesson animation virtue stories gratitude and contentment ethical values childrens animation classic moral stories animation for school educational content for children family viewing learning through stories animated kids series cartoon compilation cartoon full episode hd kids education safe for kids moral development cartoon wisdom story #AdventuresFromTheBookOfVirtues #BookOfVirtues #TownMouseAndCountryMouse #MoralStory #Gratitude #Contentment #LifeLessons #KidsCartoon #EducationalCartoon #PBSKids #ClassicCartoon #FamilyFriendly #Virtues #AnimatedFable #KidsLearning #StoryTime #CharacterBuilding #EthicalValues #MoralEducation #CartoonFullEpisode #EnglishCartoon #KidsShow #EducationalTV #AnimatedStories #VintageCartoon #90sCartoon #FamilyViewing #LearningCartoon #KidsEntertainment #ValueBasedCartoon #CartoonHD #AnimationForKids #MoralLessons #KidsAnimation #ClassicAnimation #Storytelling #VirtueLearning #CartoonSeries #ChildrensEducation #KidsContent #SafeCartoons #SchoolLearning #EducationalAnimation #KidsMoralStories #PlatoLion
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Tell me a story, read me a poem
00:24Rap it in melody, sing me the song
00:28And let me hold it, deep in my heart
00:33Where it can speak to me all the day long
00:38The adventure of virtue, the adventure of truth
00:43The thrill of the knowing that it's up to you
00:49Building a new day, shining in the sun
00:53This is my story, the adventure has begun
01:01Dear Susie, I just got your postcard
01:22Hey Annie
01:23I'm heading up to Plato's Peak, want to ride up there with me?
01:28Not right now, Zach, I'm in the middle of writing a letter
01:30Really, who are you writing to?
01:32You remember Susie from across the street?
01:35Um, is that the girl who moved to New York City with her family?
01:38Yeah, she just sent me this postcard
01:40Cool
01:42Doesn't it look great?
01:44Susie says there's tons of stuff to do there
01:46Susie's only been there a month
01:48And she's already seen the Statue of Liberty
01:50Gone up to the top of the Empire State Building
01:52And taken a bike ride through Central Park
01:54Wow
01:55Last week, she said she went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
01:59With her mom and dad
02:00That sounds fun
02:02I know, wouldn't it be great to live in New York City?
02:05To live there?
02:06Well, I don't know about that
02:08I mean, it'd be great to visit New York
02:11But I really like Spring Valley
02:13Oh, I can live there
02:15So much excitement, so much to do
02:17I like it here, Zach
02:19But next to New York, Spring Valley seems kind of... dull
02:24Dull?
02:25No way!
02:26There's plenty to do here
02:27There's the park and the hiking trails and Plato's Peak
02:32I guess so
02:33I know so
02:35You can stay here and dream about New York City
02:38But I'm heading up to Plato's Peak to have some fun
02:41Uh, I'll meet you up there
02:43As soon as I finish this letter
02:44See you later, Annie Gator
02:46Things here in Spring Valley are...
02:52Well...
02:54There's no way I can make my life sound like it's as much fun as Susie's
02:59I'm sick of Spring Valley
03:01It sure would be fun to live in the big city
03:05Every morning I'd wake up in my penthouse apartment
03:11I'd have cocoa latte as I look out at the city view
03:18Then I'd get dressed and go for my daily bike ride through Central Park
03:23And after my bike ride, I'd take the ferry out to the Statue of Liberty
03:29For lunch, I'd get together with all my fabulous new friends at the best restaurant in town
03:35And after lunch, we'd all go shopping on Fifth Avenue
03:40And in New York, famous people walk down the street all the time
03:45I'd end each day with a visit to the art museum
03:52My life would be more exciting than ever
03:55Hi, Mr. Anderson
04:04Susie's got the whole world at her feet in New York City
04:08And all I've got is Spring Valley
04:10Morning, Annie
04:15Hi, Officer Grady
04:17Good old Spring Valley
04:20Same old people, same old places
04:23Nothing ever changes
04:25Nothing fun ever happens
04:27Now this is fun
04:32Nothing like a good game of catch
04:34Come on, Sock
04:36Give me all you got
04:37Throw it as hard as you can
04:39Oh
04:40Ouch
04:45Look at that
04:47I got it
04:48I should have warned you, Zach
04:50Socrates has got a powerhouse pitch
04:53Looky here
04:55A tetralayered, hydrospotted caterpillar
04:58This is just what my collection needs
05:02Come on, fella
05:03Be careful there, Ari
05:05I don't want any caterpillars crawling on me
05:08It'll never happen, Plato
05:09I've got everything
05:11Whoopsie
05:11Under control
05:12Oh, look at that
05:16Here comes Annie
05:17Hey, everyone
05:18Hey, everyone
05:20Where's the excitement?
05:21Where's the enthusiasm?
05:24And where's the smile?
05:26I don't know
05:27Oh, come on, Annie
05:29What's up?
05:31Nothing
05:32Annie's upset
05:34She just got a postcard from her friend Susie
05:37Getting a postcard from a friend isn't anything to be upset about
05:41It is when the postcard comes from New York City
05:44And why is that?
05:47Susie has this amazing life there
05:49She gets to go to really cool museums and stores
05:52And all sorts of plays and symphonies
05:54And the only place I ever go is Plato's Peak
05:58Personally, I kind of like Plato's Peak
06:01And I like Spring Valley, too
06:02Better than anywhere else
06:05Come think of it, I've never been anywhere else
06:08Don't you like it here anymore, Annie?
06:11Of course I still like it here, Ari
06:13It's just that things are so much more exciting where Susie lives
06:17Let's face it
06:18There's nothing to do in Spring Valley
06:21Annie, there's so much to do here
06:23It's not even funny
06:24There's hiking
06:26And camping
06:27And bike riding
06:28I mean, concerts and plays and stuff come through here all the time
06:31And all our friends are here
06:34You can say whatever you want, Zach
06:36But Susie's life is much more exciting than mine
06:39And New York is much more exciting than Spring Valley
06:42Oh, dear
06:43Plato, it sounds like our friend here is suffering from the grass is always greener syndrome
06:49I was going to say the same thing
06:52What's the grass is always greener syndrome?
06:56This plot of grass is all the same
06:58It's all green, soft, and lush
07:01Make a line in the grass
07:03Put up a fence and you've created two worlds
07:05Soon the people on one side of the fence
07:08Begin to imagine that the people on the other side of the fence have a better life
07:12They think that the grass is always greener
07:14More vibrant
07:15More exciting on the opposite side of the fence
07:19And when you start thinking the grass is greener on the other side
07:22Like imagining that Susie's life in New York is better than your life in Spring Valley
07:26You become ungrateful for what you have
07:29I'm not ungrateful
07:31It's just that things are more exciting in New York than they are in Spring Valley
07:35Things are different in New York, not always better
07:39Every place has its ups and downs
07:41I just want to live where it's more exciting
07:44Like Susie
07:45Spring Valley is a wonderful place full of wonderful people
07:50You're just envious of Susie's life right now instead of being grateful for what you have
07:56Maybe, Plato, a story about gratitude would shed some light on this situation
08:01The city mouse and the country mouse
08:03You read my mind
08:06Oh, a story! The perfect way to get to the bottom of this
08:11This is the story of two mice
08:13Petunia, the country mouse
08:15And her best friend Horace, the city mouse
08:18Now, Petunia, the country mouse
08:22Lived in a humble home under the roots of an old oak tree far from the city
08:27Petunia loved her home in the country
08:30In fact, she loved everything about the country
08:34Her friends, the fresh air, her perfect home
08:39Horace, he's here! And he's early!
08:50Oh, well, I guess that's as clean as it's gonna be
08:54Come in
08:59Horace, you made it
09:05Course I made it, pet
09:07I wouldn't miss this for the world
09:09A chance to visit my old friend Petunia
09:14In the country, no less
09:16It's been a long time
09:18Ages, it's been ages
09:21How's the country been treating you?
09:23The country's been treating me fine, Horace
09:26But I'd say the city's been treating you much, much better
09:30Oh, you don't mean that
09:33Or do you?
09:35Come on inside, Horace
09:37I've been cleaning and dusting for weeks
09:39Just for your visit
09:41Your house is nice, pet
09:46Quiet
09:47You really like it?
09:50Sure, it's a very, how shall I say, quaint
09:53Quaint?
09:55Nothing like the excitement of the city
09:57You want excitement?
09:59Oh, the country can be quite exciting, too
10:01It can?
10:02Of course!
10:04Why don't we go out and grab some lunch and I'll show you
10:06Lunch?
10:07Now you're talking
10:08Isn't this nice?
10:11I just love summer in the country
10:13Yeah, it's nice
10:15Walk, I mean
10:16In the city, nobody walks anywhere
10:19Not at this speed, anyway
10:20It's all hustle and bustle there
10:23Places to go, mice to see
10:25Really?
10:26Tell me about it
10:27The city sounds like so much fun
10:30Fun?
10:31Oh, you never had so much fun
10:33Cheese around every corner
10:35Mouseholes that run for miles
10:37And hundreds of other mice to play with
10:40That sounds wonderful
10:41You want to come and see me in the city sometime, pet?
10:45You'd love it
10:46Morning, Bertha
10:49This is my friend Horace from the city
10:52Hello, ladies
10:56How are you today?
10:58Not bad, but Junior
10:59And you?
11:01Wonderful
11:01As long as Horace is with me
11:04I'm just wonderful
11:05Isn't it great out here?
11:07Everyone knows everybody else
11:09I'm always among friends
11:11Nice
11:12You know, you know, pet
11:13In the city, there are so many mice
11:15You never run out of friends
11:17You're always surrounded by the hustle and the bustle
11:20Hustle and bustle?
11:22Oh, how exciting
11:23A quick hop across the river
11:27And it'll be time for lunch
11:28A boat made out of a leaf
11:30Cute
11:32Thanks
11:33I made it myself, you know
11:35Uh, you'd never know
11:37In the city, pet
11:38The transportation is always state-of-the-art
11:41Nothing but the fastest, shiniest cars, boats, and planes
11:45Oh
11:46Fastest and shiniest, huh?
11:51Interesting
11:52Here we are
11:59J. Virginia
12:00Lunch is served
12:03Petunia, you'll have to come out to the city to visit me one day
12:09We eat like kings
12:11Feasts as far as the eye can see
12:13You never go hungry
12:15I never go hungry here, Horace
12:17Oh, but the food in the city
12:19Cheeses and casseroles, cakes and pies
12:23I like oats
12:24Just plain oats
12:26But tell me more about the city
12:28Cause I do like cheese
12:30First of all, every restaurant in the city has some sort of cheese dish on the menu
12:35And all the cheese is ours for the taking
12:37And so it went that Horace told Petunia his glorious tales of life in the city
12:48By the time Horace's visit was over
12:51He'd fill Petunia's head with all sorts of stories of excitement and grandeur
12:57Thanks for the visit, Petunia
13:09And remember
13:10If you ever want to come and see how the other half lives
13:13There's an open invitation for you to visit me in the big city
13:17I may just take you up on that someday, Horace
13:20And once Horace went back to the city
13:25Petunia began looking at her own life differently
13:29Her mousehole suddenly seemed small and quiet
13:33Too quiet
13:34Morning, Bertha
13:39Morning, ladies
13:41Petunia began to feel that she ran into the same friends
13:45Just day after day
13:47Nobody knew
13:48Nobody exciting
13:49Just the same old friends
13:52And almost overnight
13:55Everything in Petunia's world seemed to slow down
13:59Suddenly, Petunia could think of only the excitement and adventure
14:04That Horace was surely experiencing in the city
14:07In short, she began to believe that the grass was greener on Horace's side
14:12I'm sick of oats
14:15So you can imagine that the moment Petunia heard from Horace again
14:22She packed her bags for a visit to the city
14:25Look at that
14:37The big city
14:39Wow! I have arrived!
14:43You certainly have, Pat!
14:45Horace!
14:46Welcome to the big city, Petunia!
14:47Have I got plans for us?
14:48We're gonna go from dusk till dawn
14:49We'll see every corner of this city
14:50From the harbor to downtown
14:51We've got lots of stuff to do
14:52Not a minute to waste
14:53Welcome, Petunia!
14:54Welcome, Petunia!
14:55To Chateau Horace!
14:56This is where you live?
14:57You betcha!
14:58In a grocery store?
14:59Not in a grocery store, my dear
15:01Atop a grocery store
15:02Atop a grocery store
15:03Penthouse Suite
15:04Going up!
15:05Oh my god!
15:06Oh my god!
15:07Oh my god!
15:08It's right!
15:09Oh my god!
15:10The big city!
15:11We've got a lot of stuff to do
15:12Not a minute to waste!
15:13Welcome, Petunia!
15:14To Chateau Horace!
15:15This is where you live?
15:16You betcha!
15:17In a grocery store?
15:18Not in a grocery store, my dear
15:20Atop a grocery store
15:21Penthouse Suite
15:23Sweet!
15:27Going up!
15:31My! I told you, Pet, things move fast in the big city!
15:35Here we are, Pet!
15:37Home!
15:39How do you like it? Views in every direction!
15:43City lights all around us!
15:45And all the luxuries of the city!
15:49That chair, by the way, is modern art. It cost me a fortune.
15:55Modern art, huh? Certainly not very comfortable modern art.
16:01Could be a bit softer, I suppose.
16:07Horace, let's go out to dinner!
16:09Excellent idea! And perfect timing! The finest restaurant in town is...
16:15Oh!
16:17Petunia, wait!
16:21Horace, what's going on?
16:23You can't go down there, Pet!
16:25Why not? There's all sorts of food down there. Just look!
16:29Isles and aisles of delicious munchies!
16:31The grocery store is...
16:33Well, it's just a little too...
16:35Crowded, yeah.
16:37Besides, don't you want to hit the town?
16:39Hit the town?
16:41Hit the town?
16:43Hey there, pal!
16:45Hey, good evening, partner!
16:47How you doing, Chief?
16:49You really know all these people?
16:51Of course I do, Pet!
16:53Most of them, though, are just too busy to stop and chat.
16:57Here we are, Pet. Finest restaurant in town.
17:00And dinner is on the house.
17:03Wow!
17:05It's beautiful!
17:07Of course I am impressed.
17:09Pet, where are you going?
17:12Are we eating here?
17:13Actually, babe, we'll use the back door.
17:20Wait here for just a second as they get our table ready.
17:24Looks like we're being seated already.
17:26Horace, are you out of your mind?
17:37We could have been killed.
17:38We could have been...
17:39Wow...
17:44Dinner is served!
17:46Yippee!
17:53Whoa, hold on.
17:55Wait a sec.
17:56I thought you said this is a story about gratitude.
17:59Yeah!
18:01Oh, wait.
18:02I get it!
18:03Petunia the country mouse is grateful that she left home to go to the big city!
18:08Not exactly, Sock.
18:10At this point, I'll admit it does indeed seem that Petunia got everything she wished for.
18:16But...
18:17But?
18:18We'll just have to keep reading to find out.
18:23Aw, come on, Play-Doh!
18:24Come on!
18:25Can't you give us a little hint?
18:27Here's a hint.
18:28Sit back and enjoy the rest of the story.
18:31Oh!
18:33Good hint, big guy.
18:35Now, where were we?
18:37Ah, yes.
18:38Horace and Petunia were in agreement that at this precise moment in time, the city was the best place in the world.
18:47Oh!
18:48Oh!
18:49Oh!
18:50Oh!
18:51Oh!
18:52Oh!
18:53Oh!
18:54Oh!
18:55Oh!
18:56Oh!
18:57Oh!
18:58Oh!
18:59Oh, oh!
19:00Oh!
19:01Oh!
19:02Oh!
19:03Oh!
19:04Ah!
19:05Oh.
19:07Petunia, stop!
19:08Oh!
19:09It's a very scary!
19:10Aaaaaah!
19:11Oh!
19:12Oh!
19:13Petunia, Wait!
19:14Oh!
19:16What?!
19:17Oh!
19:18Oh!
19:19Oh!
19:20Oh!
19:21Oh!
19:22Oh!
19:23Hold on, Petunia. I'll rescue you.
19:35It's ruined.
19:38Oh, thank goodness. Home at last.
19:41What's going on?
19:43Uh-oh. Delivery truck!
19:51Petunia?
19:52Oh, Petunia!
19:56Petunia, there's no time for resting. This isn't a good place for that.
20:00Why not? I'm tired, wet and cold. Why can't we just stay here?
20:09Okay, I see why.
20:15Hey, uh, Pet, where are you going?
20:19Home.
20:22But home is this way, right here.
20:25No, Horace. I'm going home. My home.
20:28When Petunia returned from the city, she saw her country life in a whole new light.
20:38The grass was indeed very bright on her side. The river was quiet. The oats were delicious, and the friends were plentiful.
20:47That evening, as Petunia read her favorite book in front of the fireplace, she realized that being a city mouse might be fine for some, but for herself, she was grateful to be a country mouse living a country life.
21:04Well, what did you think?
21:09I think that cat got a bad rap. Not all of us taste nice, you know.
21:14Maybe... Maybe Petunia and I have something in common.
21:21Oh, really? And what's that?
21:24Well, we both kind of forgot how good things are at home.
21:28Everyone's life looks good on a postcard, Annie. It's easy to forget to be grateful for what we have.
21:34Like good friends.
21:36Hey, Annie! You think Susie has made any friends out there who she can play catch with?
21:40Even if the catcher can't catch?
21:43And do you think she has anybody to go caterpillar hunting with?
21:47Oh, hey! Where... Oh, dear! Where'd he go?
21:51Want to play catch with us, Annie?
21:53Not today, Zach, but thanks for the offer.
21:56Maybe you want to help me catch some caterpillars.
21:59No thanks, Ari.
22:01Or read a book with me.
22:03Thanks, but I think I'm going to head home to write Susie a letter.
22:06I want to tell her that I'm coming to New York City.
22:08What? What about the country mouse, Annie?
22:13I want to tell Susie that I'm coming to New York City someday to visit.
22:19I still want to see the big city, you know.
22:21And I also want to tell her how great things are in Spring Valley.
22:25See you guys later!
22:28Say hi!
22:32Hey there, Officer Grady.
22:35Afternoon, Mrs. Trumbo.
22:38Hi, Mom.
22:45Oh, you're in awfully good spirits today.
22:47What's up?
22:50Just happy to be here, Mom.
22:52Just happy to be here.
22:54To meet some of our characters online and learn more about Adventures from the Book of Virtues,
23:06visit our website at pbskids.org.
23:10Where's anyone?
23:11And I'm here with everyone.
23:13Bye now.
23:16I'm glad I'm here.
23:19Stay with me.
23:21Have a great day.
23:27Good luck.
23:28Go on.
23:28uk____.
23:29What does that mean?
23:30Go on.
23:31We'll be here.
23:32Bye now.
23:34Bye now.
23:35Got você right.
23:36Bye now.
23:37Bye now.
23:37Bye.
23:37You
Comments