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._

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._