The Mice Hold a Meeting

Part One · The Mice Hold a Meeting

In a big old house lived many mice. They had one big problem. It was the cat.

She walked on soft paws. The mice never heard her coming, so they ran.

One night the mice met under the floor. "We must do something," said the oldest mouse.

A young mouse jumped up. "Let us put a bell on the cat!" he said.

"Then we will hear the bell ring when she comes. We can all run and hide!"

All the mice clapped and cheered. It seemed like a very fine plan.

Then a wise old mouse stood up. "It is a good plan," he said.

"But who will tie the bell on the cat?" The room went quiet. "Not me," said one mouse.

"I am too slow," he said. "Not me," said another. "I am too small."

Every mouse had a reason. Not one of them would do it. They all looked at their toes.

The meeting was over. The bell sat in its box. The cat slept on in the sun.