The Mice in Council

The Mice once called a council to consider what could be done about their great enemy, the Cat. At least a dozen proposals were debated, but none seemed practical. Then a young Mouse stood up and proposed that a bell be tied around the Cat neck so that they could always hear it coming and run away in time.

The council erupted in applause. Brilliant! they cried. What a wonderful idea! But then an old Mouse rose slowly to his feet. I agree that the plan is excellent in theory, he said gravely, but I have one simple question: who among us will volunteer to bell the Cat?

The room fell silent. Not a single Mouse stepped forward. The plan, perfect in conception, was entirely useless without someone willing to execute it.