The Mice called a general council, and after the doors were locked,
entered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render
themselves more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many schemes were
proposed, and much debate took place upon the matter. At last, a
young Mouse, in a fine florid speech, broached an expedient, which he
contended was the only one to put them entirely out of the power of the
enemy, and this was, that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck,
which, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for
them, to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great
applause, and it was even proposed by some, that the Mouse who had made
it should have the thanks of the assembly. Upon which, an old Mouse,
who had sat silent hitherto, gravely observed, that the contrivance
was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, very ingenious; but
he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks, till he should
further inform them how the bell was to be fastened about the Cat’s
neck, and who would undertake the task.