Belling the Cat

The mice met at midnight behind the kitchen wall. Every one of them was tired of being afraid of the cat. She came on soft paws. She came without a sound. By the time a mouse knew she was there, it was too late.

They talked for hours. Some said one thing and some said another. Then a young mouse jumped up on a cotton reel. "I have it!" he said. "Our trouble is that we cannot hear her coming. So let us get a little bell and tie it around her neck with a ribbon. Then wherever she goes, we will hear her. Ting, ting, ting! And we will all have time to run."

What a cheer went up! The mice clapped and squeaked and stamped their tiny feet. The young mouse took a bow.

One mouse did not clap. He was very old, and he got to his feet very slowly. "It is a fine plan," he said. "Now tell me. Who is going to bell the cat?"

The squeaking stopped. The mice looked at the floor. They looked at one another. Nobody said a word.