從前，所有的老鼠聚集在一起，開會商討免受貓攻擊的良策。幾個建議相繼都被否決之後，一隻很有威望且經驗豐富的老鼠站起來，說：“我忽然想到一個辦法，可以確保大家未來的安全，假如你們贊成的話，我們就這麼辦。這個辦法是，我們應該在敵人的脖子上掛一個鈴鐺，貓走路時發出的叮噹聲，就會警告我們——貓要來了。”他的提議受到了大家的贊同，都決定採用這個辦法，就在這時，一隻年長的老鼠伸出他的前爪，說：“我也贊同這是一個絕妙的好辦法，但是，我想問一下，誰去給貓系鈴鐺呢？”

【老鼠開會的寓意】想出一個好主意也許不難，實現它就不那麼容易了。

Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat. After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, “I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out. It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach.” This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, “I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one: but may I ask who is going to bell the cat?”