Over four hundred rats once lived In a thatched mud house. Though there was plenty of food and holes were easily made in the mud, these rats were most unhappy because Black Pussy, the cat, was also living in the same house.
Pussy, the chief enemy, always lay in wait for them. This made them miserable and restless, for they were not free to move about. Hunger often made them weak, for they could not go to search for food.
One night, all the rats met together to plan how to solve their difficulties. Some of them suggested fighting the cat but this was found to be impossible.
'I have a great idea', said a young rat'let tie a small bell round her neck while she's asleep, to warn us of her movements. We shall then run into our holes whenever we hear the tinkling of the bell',.
All rats clapped their hands in support.
Brave young rats were asked to do the job. Then the chief of the rats remarked 'This is a good idea, dear citizens. But who will Bell the cat? Let them step forward'.
No one volunteered. All then went back to their holes realizing that saying things was easier than doing them.
By Vittoria 😘
