Bell the Cat

There was a grocery shop where food was aplenty, which many mice have made into a home. They ate everything and spoiled all the food bags and wrappers. They also littered the shop with wasted bread, biscuits and fruits.

Worried, the grocer thought of a plan. "I should buy a cat and let it stay at the grocery. Only then can I save my things and my business."

And so he bought a nice, big fat cat and let it stay at the grocery. The cat had a great time hunting the mice and killing them. The mice could not move freely now. They were afraid that anytime the cat would catch them and eat them up.

Then the mice decided to do something about the situation. They held a meeting and many of them asked, "We must get rid of the cat. Can someone offer a good suggestion?"

All the mice sat and pondered over this difficult problem. Suddenly a smart looking mouse stood up and said, "The cat moves softly. If we can tie a bell around her neck, then things will be fine. We can then know the movements of the cat."

"Yes, that's the answer!" all the mice exclaimed.

An old mouse slowly stood up and asked, "Who among you would be the one to tie the bell?"

There was a long silence.

Moral: "An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes." - Cato