Section 13
The Mice in Council explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat. After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, "I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future,...
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Public-domain original
Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed
the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat.
After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing
and experience got up and said, "I think I have hit upon a plan which
will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry
it out. It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy
the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach." This
proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to
adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, "I agree with
you all that the plan before us is an admirable one: but may I ask who
is going to bell the cat?"
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
The mice agree that a bell on the cat would help, but no one will put it there.
Why this scene matters
This fable explains the gap between a clever plan and the courage needed to carry it out.
Characters in this scene
- Mice in Council: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The mice want to hear the cat coming, so they suggest tying a bell to it. The plan sounds good until they ask who will do it.