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Who Is Going to Bell the Cat?: An Old Fable Retold in Verse
All of the mice gathered together
To discuss a problem, and no doubt it
Demanded their thoughtful, immediate attention;
They had to do something about it.
The cat, they agreed, was ruining their lives:
"No longer do we have free rein in this house."
"Our lives are miserable since the cat
Has become a threat to every mouse."
"Gone are the days when we could stealthily
Steal from the owners and plunder their food."
"Our spirits were high; our lives were easy.
The cat has seriously dampened our mood."
"I miss the days when we had the freedom
To chew and nibble and gnaw at will."
"We could come and go as we pleased.
But now--no more. This makes me ill."
The mice seemed to be at a loss
As to how to fix the situation.
"I know what we can do," said one.
The others listened in desperation.
"The cat so quietly sneaks around
On muffled paws, so what the heck?
The solution is simple: Let's just put
A warning bell around the cat's neck."
The mice all cheered in unison until
An old sage raised his hand.
"I like your enthusiasm;
Your idea sounds really grand."
He paused for a moment, and then he continued:
"But I have a question for you, and that
Is WHO from among this noble crowd
Is going to secure the bell to the cat?"
Not one mouse had an answer.
"Ah. That's what I thought you'd say:
Nothing!" said the wise old mouse
As he turned around and hobbled away.
So what's the moral of the story?
That should be plain for all to see.
Who are the mice, and who is the cat?
Think about it, and you tell me.
(7-30-15)
To discuss a problem, and no doubt it
Demanded their thoughtful, immediate attention;
They had to do something about it.
The cat, they agreed, was ruining their lives:
"No longer do we have free rein in this house."
"Our lives are miserable since the cat
Has become a threat to every mouse."
"Gone are the days when we could stealthily
Steal from the owners and plunder their food."
"Our spirits were high; our lives were easy.
The cat has seriously dampened our mood."
"I miss the days when we had the freedom
To chew and nibble and gnaw at will."
"We could come and go as we pleased.
But now--no more. This makes me ill."
The mice seemed to be at a loss
As to how to fix the situation.
"I know what we can do," said one.
The others listened in desperation.
"The cat so quietly sneaks around
On muffled paws, so what the heck?
The solution is simple: Let's just put
A warning bell around the cat's neck."
The mice all cheered in unison until
An old sage raised his hand.
"I like your enthusiasm;
Your idea sounds really grand."
He paused for a moment, and then he continued:
"But I have a question for you, and that
Is WHO from among this noble crowd
Is going to secure the bell to the cat?"
Not one mouse had an answer.
"Ah. That's what I thought you'd say:
Nothing!" said the wise old mouse
As he turned around and hobbled away.
So what's the moral of the story?
That should be plain for all to see.
Who are the mice, and who is the cat?
Think about it, and you tell me.
(7-30-15)
