Belling the Cat

Belling the Cat - Janiee James

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