99. Aesop's Fables - Belling the Cat

Once there lived a large group of mice. The mice and their little ones were often killed by a cat.

One day the mice held a council (meeting) to discuss ways in which they could get rid of the cat. A long discussion took place. There were several suggestions and arguments. It became noon from morning, but the mice were unable to come to any conclusion.

Finally, a young mouse who had been listening to the elder members of council stood and said, ‘Respected members of the council, I have a suggestion to make in regard of our enemy. We all know that the sly cat approaches us quietly and attacks us before we are able to escape her sight. If were receive an alert about her arrival, we can easily escape her attack’.

The members of council agreed with the little mouse. One of them said, ‘You are certainly right. If we receive an alert regarding her arrival, we can escape. But, tell us how can we receive that alert?’

The little mouse continued, ‘We must fetch a bell with a ribbon belt and strap if around the cat’s neck. The sound of bell will alert us regarding the cat’s approach’.

The members of the council were impressed by the little mouse suggestion. There was a big applause for the little mouse and everyone appreciated his idea. But suddenly then an old mouse, stood up and asked everyone around, ‘O little mouse, your idea is great, but tell us who will bell the cat?’

Hearing this, all the council of mice stood stuck. They were unable to express anything and wondered how they missed to think who will approach and bell the cat without getting killed.

The old mouse said, ‘It is easy to propose impossible solutions to problems’.

Moral: Every idea cannot be implemented.

Proverb: It is easy to propose impossible remedies.