I have heard of another cat, who, had she lived in Lord --'s house when
attacked by robbers, might very speedily have aroused the family.
This cat, however, lived in a nunnery in France. She had observed that
when a certain bell was rung, all the inmates assembled for their meals,
when she also received her food.
One day she was shut up in a room by herself when she heard the bell
ring. In vain she attempted to get out; she could not open the door,
the window was too high to reach. At length, after some hours'
imprisonment, the door was opened. Off she hurried to the place where
she expected to find her dinner, but none was there. She was very
hungry, and hunger is said to sharpen the wits. She knew where the rope
hung which pulled the bell in the belfry. "Now, when that bell rings I
generally get my supper," she thought, as she ran towards the rope. It
hung down temptingly within her reach--a good thick rope. She sprang
upon it. It gave a pleasant tinkle. She jerked harder and harder, and
the bell rang louder and louder. "Now I shall get my supper, though I
have lost my dinner," she thought as she pulled away.
The nuns hearing the bell ring at so unusual an hour, came hurrying into
the belfry, wondering what was the matter, when what was their surprise
to see the cat turned bell-ringer! They puzzled their heads for some
time, till the lay sister who generally gave the cat her meals
recollected that she had not been present at dinner-time; and thus the
mystery was solved, and Pussy rewarded for her exertions by having her
supper brought to her without delay.
Instead of sitting down and crying when in a difficulty, think, like
sensible Pussy, of the best way to get out of it. In lieu of wringing
your hands, ring the bell.