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?"
Moral: It
is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter
to do it
.-------------------------
From: ÆSOP FOR
CHILDREN
33% of the profit from the sale of this book will be donated to CECILY’S FUND, a charity educating and supporting Zambian children orphaned by aids.
