The moral of this fable reminds me of Epicureanism and Lucretius. It shows the importance of a simple life and how very little is needed to be truly happy. Things get complicated when more is desired. It emphasizes the difference between those wealthy with money and supplies and those who have happiness and little else. The mice being sisters was interesting to me. It is interesting to think that two people who come from similar experiences and the same upbringing turn out so different. The younger sister continues to live like her parents while the older sister demands a wealthier and fancier life. She rather go hungry than eat the meager food offered by her sister in the country. That is insane. Maybe it is the southern hospitality in me, but I could never imagine simply denying a meal like that. I also got on to when the younger sister mentioned something about the sister being served by a straight face compared to meals prepared at gatherings where food is simpler. I thought that was an interesting thing to point out. Meals to me are supposed to be group bonding experiences where people are loud and happy, so this line just resonated with me. The older sister does get better/more food, but she also must constantly live in fear of the cat and people that live in the home she resides in. I thought it was sad that the younger sister was the one consistently traumatized when the older sister was the brat.