One day, a family lived in the attic of a large green house. It was not a human family but a family of mice. They were very proud of themselves, as they were never ordinary mice and were always thinking of ways to improve their situation. They were always suggesting ideas for work, but the ideas were all they had—just ideas.
Until one of them came and said, “The human couple has invited guests to dinner. You know what that means—we’ll have leftovers. But we must plan. Remember that humans are large creatures and can catch us.” Then he said, “I’ll hide behind the refrigerator until dark, and then I’ll signal you so you can come out.” The mouse left with another mouse. While walking, he told him about an idea from a mouse named Jerry. He said, “Jerry spoke with us about declaring war on humans. We will own the entire planet. I’m sure he has an idea.”
As soon as darkness fell, the mouse signaled the rest of the mice, and here were all kinds of food before them on the table. The mice enjoyed their feast. The wisest member of the family was Father Mouse. While they all lay with their bellies full, one of the mice went to the corner where the father was sitting to meet him and said to him, “Hello, Father. Why didn’t you attend today’s party?” He said to him, “I’m too old to attend parties, my son. I have to watch my food. I ate what Mouse Sammy brought me from there. But why haven’t you slept yet?” He said, “I’m very excited. We won the food battle today. And I’m thinking about what Jerry said about declaring war on humans.”
The father said, “Have you lost your mind?” He said, “No, his idea is wonderful.” The father said, “Rather, it’s a failed idea.” He said, “Why are you discouraged now?” He said, “I’m not discouraging you now, my son. All I’m saying is that the idea, no matter how big, is failed when we don’t work toward it. Just because we have big ideas is not proof of courage and intelligence.” The mouse said, “Toward a smart family. You’ll see, Father. We’ll declare war on humans and defeat them.” The mouse felt confused and didn’t understand how big ideas weren’t proof of intelligence.
The next day, the wife was shocked when she entered the kitchen and asked her husband, “Did you eat yesterday’s leftovers?” The husband said, “Never.” They had no idea that mice existed in the attic. Whenever they left leftovers, the mice would eat them, and the wife would blame her husband.
One day, while one of the mice was gnawing a piece of bread, he heard a sound. He said to his friend, “Did you hear that?” He said to him, “It’s the neighbors’ cat.” He said to him, “Listen well. This is not the neighbors’ cat but someone else, and he’s approaching us.” Then the mice hurried to see what was happening. They found that the people of the house had brought a cat. This is a disaster! Who convinced them of the foolishness of bringing a cat to the house? These creatures seem strange.
We must call an emergency meeting. All the mice gathered, discussing. They all decided to continue their lives as they were and to face this terrifying creature. Then they began to spread out, and their fear mixed with courage. But things didn’t go smoothly. The family disintegrated, and family members began to leave the large green house. The family shrank, and their fear of the cat increased day after day. They left the attic one after another. The pursuit continued, and the cat succeeded in finding them no matter how much they took precautions. With the days, bringing food became dangerous.
They all gathered and said, “This is enough. We must all act regarding the cat. Think with me. Our family is famous for its wonderful ideas.” One of them said, “The problem is we don’t see the cat coming, meaning that while we’re busy gnawing, suddenly the cat appears from nowhere. So what do we do to know where the cat is?” One of them said, “We put a bell around her neck. This way, it will ring whenever she moves. When we hear the bell, we’ll know where she is.”
The father said, “Allow me to ask. I’m an old mouse trying to understand the new generation. I mean, are you sure about this idea?” They said, “Certainly.” The father said, “And who will put the bell on her?” Everyone fell silent, and silence prevailed. The mice looked at each other, hoping someone would volunteer. None of them dared to take the risk. In the end, there is a difference between saying a brave idea and executing it. None of them had the courage to put a bell around the cat’s neck. They gathered their belongings and left the attic, and the large green house was emptied of mice.
Translated from story: Who will Bell the Cat