FABLE LXXXV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Many little mice lived long ago. They had a big problem: a scary Cat! The Cat was fast. The Cat had sharp claws. The mice were very scared. They wanted to be safe. So, they had a secret meeting. All the mice came. They closed the door. They talked about the scary Cat. They wanted to find a way.
The mice talked and talked. They had many ideas. One said, 'Hide better!' Another said, 'Run faster!' But the Cat was too quick. The Cat was too clever. No idea was good enough. The mice felt very worried. They did not know what to do.
Then, a Little Mouse stood up. He had a very clever idea. He spoke to all the mice. He said, 'Bell the Cat! It will make sound.' It will go ding-dong! ding-dong! This sound will warn us. We will hear the bell. Then we will know the Cat is near. We can run and hide then. We will be safe from the Cat!
All the mice heard the idea. They were very happy. "Yes!" they cheered loudly. 'Great idea!' They clapped paws. They jumped with much joy. They thought the plan was perfect. They would be safe from the Cat. The Little Mouse was very proud. All the mice smiled.
Then, a Wise Old Mouse stood up. He was very quiet before. He looked at all the mice. He spoke in a calm voice. "This is a good idea," he said. "The Little Mouse is clever." But he asked. "Who will bell the Cat?" The Cat is very fast. The Cat has sharp claws. It is very dangerous to go near. Who will go near the Cat? No mouse spoke.
The mice became quiet. They looked at each other. No one wanted to go near the Cat. No one was brave enough. The Cat was too scary. The Cat was too quick. The good idea was not possible. It sounded very nice. But it was too hard. They felt very sad. The meeting was over. The mice went home. The good idea was too hard to do. It is easy to have a good idea. But sometimes it is very hard.
Original Story
FABLE LXXXV.
THE MICE IN COUNCIL.
The Mice called a general council, and, having met, after the doors were locked, entered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render their fortunes and estates more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many things were offered, and much was debated, "pro and con," upon the matter. At last, a young Mouse, in a fine, florid speech, concluded with an expedient, and that the only one, which was to put them for the future entirely out of the power of the enemy; and this was that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck, which, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for them to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great applause, and it was even proposed by some that the Mouse who made it should have the thanks of the assembly; upon which an old, grave Mouse, who had sat silent all the while, stood up, and, in another speech, owned that the contrivance was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, an ingenious Mouse, but, he said, he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks till he should farther inform them how this bell was to be fastened about the Cat's neck, and what Mouse would undertake to do it.
MORAL.
Many things appear excellent in theory which are impossible in practice. It often requires a great deal of courage to carry out projects which a fine, florid speech may persuade the hearers are most plausible.
Story DNA
Moral
Many things appear excellent in theory which are impossible in practice; it often requires great courage to carry out projects that seem plausible in speech.
Plot Summary
The mice hold a council to find a way to protect themselves from the Cat. A young mouse proposes the seemingly brilliant idea of putting a bell on the Cat's neck to warn them of its approach, which is met with great approval. However, an old, wise mouse then asks the crucial question: who among them will actually undertake the dangerous task of belling the Cat, exposing the impracticality of the plan and leaving them without a solution.
Themes
Emotional Arc
optimism to realism
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect societal structures and wisdom passed down through generations, using animal characters to satirize human behavior.
Plot Beats (6)
- The mice hold a secret council to discuss how to protect themselves from the Cat.
- Many suggestions are debated, but no clear solution emerges.
- A young mouse proposes the idea of putting a bell around the Cat's neck to warn them of its approach.
- The young mouse's idea is met with widespread applause and enthusiasm.
- An old, wise mouse questions the practicality of the plan, asking who will actually bell the Cat.
- The question reveals the inherent danger and impossibility of the proposed solution, silencing the assembly.
Characters
The Young Mouse
A small, agile mouse with sleek, light grey fur and a long, thin tail. Its build is slender and energetic, indicative of youth.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its fur is its natural covering.
Wants: To find a solution to the Cat problem, gain approval from the council, and be seen as ingenious.
Flaw: Lacks practical foresight and understanding of real-world dangers; overconfident in theoretical solutions.
Does not undergo a significant arc within this short fable, but its proposal is challenged, highlighting the gap between theory and practice.
Optimistic, articulate, enthusiastic, somewhat naive, and eager for recognition.
The Old, Grave Mouse
A larger, more substantial mouse with slightly grizzled, darker grey fur. Its build is sturdy, showing the wisdom and wear of age.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its fur is its natural covering.
Wants: To ensure that proposed solutions are practical and achievable, preventing the council from making rash decisions based on impractical ideas.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency towards skepticism, which, while practical, could stifle truly innovative (though risky) ideas.
Serves as the voice of reason, bringing the council back to reality, but does not undergo a personal arc.
Wise, pragmatic, cautious, observant, and realistic.
The Cat
A sleek, powerful domestic cat with dark, predatory fur (perhaps black or dark tabby) and a muscular build. Its movements are silent and graceful, indicative of a hunter.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its fur is its natural covering.
Wants: To hunt and consume mice; driven by instinct.
Flaw: None explicitly stated in the fable, as its power is the central problem for the mice.
Remains a static threat throughout the fable, its nature unchanged.
Predatory, cunning, patient, dangerous, and a constant threat.
Locations
The Mice's Council Chamber
A small, enclosed space, likely a hidden room or a secure corner within a larger human dwelling, where the mice can gather in secret. The doors are locked, suggesting a sense of urgency and a need for privacy.
Mood: Tense, conspiratorial, initially hopeful, then pragmatic and sobering.
The mice hold their general council to devise a plan to protect themselves from the Cat.