a certain cat that lived in a large country house was so vigilant and active in the performance of her duties that the mice, finding their numbers grievously thinned, held a council with closed doors to consider what they had best do.

many plans had been started and dismissed, when a young mouse, rising and catching the eye of the president, said that he had a proposal to make that he was sure must meet with the approval of all. "if," said he, "the cat should wear around her neck a little bell, every step she took would make it tinkle; then, ever forewarned of her approach, we should have time to reach our holes. by this simple means we should live in safety and defy her power."

the speaker resumed his seat with a complacent air, and a murmur of applause arose from the audience.

an old gray mouse, with a merry twinkle in his eye, now got up and said that the plan of the last speaker was an admirable one, but he feared it had one drawback. he had not told them who should put the bell around the cat's neck!