A conference of many mice
Once in a basement sat,
To try to fashion some device
Against their foe the cat.
“Good people, it is all too clear,”
One mouse made bold to say,
“If we could know when puss was near,
She’d seek some other prey.
“So I’ve a plan to mark her trail.
Think! If we placed a bell
Around her neck, it could not fail
To warn us soon and well!”
The listeners only squealed and stared
To hear this brave suggestion.
And then a gray old mouse declared,
“I want to ask a question!
“Just who, my friend, will bell the cat? –
The silence was complete.
To vanquish wolves by words, a gnat
Would find an easy feat.
