The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter
Belling the Cat
The mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free
themselves of their enemy, the
Cat. At least they wished to find
some way of knowing when she
was coming, so they might have
time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they
lived in such constant fear of her
claws that they hardly dared stir
from their dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed,
but none of them was thought
good enough. At last a very
young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems
very simple, but I know it will be
successful. All we have to do is
to hang a bell about the Cat's
neck. When we hear the bell
ringing we will know immediately
that our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought
of such a plan before. But in
the midst of the rejoicing over
their good fortune, an old Mouse
arose and said:
"I will say that the plan of
the young Mouse is very good.
But let me ask one question
Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done,
but quite a different matter to do it.
![[Illustration]](http://www.gatewaytotheclassics.com/gold/books/winter/aesop/winter_aesop_zpage015.gif)
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