Belling the Cat
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
The mice were very scared. A big Cat lived near them. She was a mean Cat. They had a meeting. They talked about the Cat. The Cat was a big problem. They must stop the Cat.
They talked and talked. They talked for a long time. Many mice spoke. They thought hard. No mouse had a good idea. How could they stop the scary Cat? They did not know.
Then, Little Mouse spoke. He had a big idea. His idea was clever. "Put a bell on the Cat," he said. "The bell will make noise. We will hear the Cat coming."
The Cat is very quiet. She walks softly. We do not hear her. The bell will ring. The bell will warn us. Then we can run away. This will help us. We will be safe.
All the mice liked this idea. "Yes, yes!" they cried. They cheered loudly. They were very happy. This was a good plan. They wanted to do it.
But then came a new question. Who will put the bell on the Cat? This was a hard job. It was a very scary job. The mice looked around. No one spoke first. Who could do it?
Old Mouse Leader spoke. He looked at Little Mouse. "Little Mouse had the idea," he said. "Little Mouse must put on the bell." He waited for an answer.
Little Mouse said, "Oh, no!" He was scared. His voice was small. "I am too small," he said. "I do not know the Cat well. I cannot do it." He shook his head.
Little Mouse had another idea. He looked at Grandpa Mouse. "Grandpa Mouse knows the Cat," he said. "Grandpa Mouse is very wise. He should put on the bell." Grandpa Mouse was old.
Grandpa Mouse said, "No!" He knew the Cat. He shook his head. The Cat was too dangerous. He would not go near her. He was too scared. He was very firm.
No other mouse spoke up. No mouse wanted the job. Everyone was scared. The room was quiet. No one moved. No one would put the bell on her.
The good idea did not happen. The bell was never put on the Cat. The Cat still scared the mice. It is easy to have an idea. But doing a scary job is hard.
Original Story
Belling the Cat
Once upon a time the mice sat in council and talked of how they might outwit their enemy, the Cat. But good advice was scarce, and in vain the president called upon all the most experienced mice present to find a way.
At last a very young mouse held up two fingers and asked to be allowed to speak, and as soon as he could get permission he said:
“I’ve been thinking for a long time why the Cat is such a dangerous enemy. Now, it’s not so much because of her quickness, though people make so much fuss about that. If we could only notice her in time, I’ve no doubt we’re nimble enough to jump into our holes before she could do us any harm. It’s in her velvet paws, there’s where she hides her cruel claws till she gets us in her clutches—that’s where her power lies. With those paws she can tread so lightly that we can’t hear her coming. And so, while we are still dancing heedlessly about the place, she creeps close up, and before we know where we are she pounces down on us and has us in her clutches. Well, then, it’s my opinion we ought to hang a bell round her neck to warn us of her coming while there’s yet time.”
Every one applauded this proposal, and the council decided that it should be carried out.
Now the question to be settled was, who should undertake to fasten the bell round the Cat’s neck?
The president declared that no one could be better fitted for the task than he who had given such excellent advice.
But at that the young mouse became quite confused and stammered an excuse. He was too young for the deed, he said. He didn’t know the Cat well enough. His grandfather, who knew her better, would be more suited to the job.
337But the grandfather declared that just because he knew the Cat very well he would take good care not to attempt such a task.
And the long and the short of it was that no other mouse would undertake the duty; and so this clever proposal was never carried out, and the Cat remained mistress of the situation.
Story DNA
Moral
It is one thing to propose a solution, but quite another to carry it out, especially when it involves great personal risk.
Plot Summary
A community of mice, terrorized by a cat, holds a council to find a solution. A young mouse proposes the clever idea of belling the cat to warn them of her approach, which is met with universal approval. However, when the question arises of who will actually undertake the dangerous task of fastening the bell, every mouse, including the proposer and his elder, makes excuses and refuses. Consequently, the brilliant plan is never carried out, and the cat remains a constant threat to the mice.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to disillusionment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This fable is part of a long tradition of animal fables used to teach moral lessons, dating back to ancient Greece.
Plot Beats (12)
- The mice hold a council meeting to discuss how to deal with their enemy, the Cat.
- Despite much discussion, no practical solution is found.
- A young mouse proposes the idea of hanging a bell around the Cat's neck to warn them of her approach.
- The young mouse explains that the Cat's danger lies in her stealth, not just her speed.
- The council unanimously applauds and approves the plan.
- The question then arises: who will actually fasten the bell to the Cat?
- The president suggests the young mouse who proposed the idea should undertake the task.
- The young mouse immediately makes excuses, claiming he is too young and doesn't know the Cat well enough.
- He suggests his grandfather, who knows the Cat better, should do it.
- The grandfather refuses, stating that precisely because he knows the Cat so well, he would never attempt such a dangerous feat.
- Ultimately, no other mouse volunteers for the task.
- The clever proposal is never carried out, and the Cat remains a threat to the mice.
Characters
The Cat
A sleek, agile domestic cat of medium size. Her build suggests both power and stealth, with well-muscled legs and a flexible spine. Her fur is described as having 'velvet paws,' implying a soft, dense coat, likely dark or tabby to aid in camouflage. Her claws are sharp and retractable, hidden until she pounces.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To hunt and consume mice; to maintain her position as the dominant predator.
Flaw: Her stealth is her primary weapon; if that were compromised, her effectiveness would be greatly reduced.
Remains unchanged, continuing to be the 'mistress of the situation' due to the mice's inability to act.
Predatory, cunning, dominant, silent, effective.
The Young Mouse
A small, nimble mouse, likely with soft grey or brown fur, typical of a young, healthy rodent. His size is smaller than the older, more experienced mice, reflecting his youth.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To find a solution to the Cat problem and gain recognition within the council.
Flaw: Cowardice and lack of practical courage; he can conceive of a solution but is unwilling to execute it.
Begins as an innovative thinker, but his arc reveals his practical cowardice when faced with the reality of his own proposal.
Clever, articulate, initially confident, but ultimately cowardly and lacking in practical courage.
The President (Mouse)
An older, perhaps slightly larger mouse, indicating his experience and authority within the council. His fur might be a bit grizzled or worn, reflecting his age.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To protect his community and find a way to outwit the Cat.
Flaw: Unable to inspire or enforce action among his constituents, leading to inaction.
Remains largely unchanged, his authority proving insufficient to overcome the collective fear of the mice.
Authoritative, traditional, initially hopeful for a solution, but ultimately resigned to the mice's limitations.
The Grandfather (Mouse)
A very old mouse, likely with thin or patchy fur, and a somewhat frail appearance, indicative of his advanced age. His movements might be slower.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To survive and avoid danger, based on his extensive knowledge of the Cat.
Flaw: His fear, born of experience, prevents him from taking action.
Remains unchanged, serving as a voice of experienced caution and fear.
Cautious, pragmatic, wise through experience, but also fearful.
Locations
The Mice's Council Chamber
A hidden, cozy nook within a larger structure, likely a human dwelling, where the mice hold their secret meetings. The air is still, perhaps a bit dusty, with the scent of old wood and stored grains. The space is small, just large enough for a gathering of mice.
Mood: Initially serious and contemplative, then hopeful and excited, finally devolving into nervous apprehension.
The mice gather to discuss their predicament with the Cat, the young mouse proposes belling the Cat, and the council ultimately fails to find a volunteer.