老鼠们曾经开过一个会，来决定一个方案，以解救他们摆脱他们的敌人——猫。至少他们想找到一个方法，能知道她正在赶来，他们好有时间逃走。确实，必须做点什么了，因为他们生活在对她的爪子持续的恐怖之中，以至于几乎黑夜白天都不敢在窝里活动。
他们讨论了许多方案，但没有一个被认为足够好。最后，一只年幼的老鼠站起来说：
“我有一个方案，看起来很简单，但我知道它会成功的。我们要做的不过是在猫的脖子上系一个铃铛。听到铃响的时候，我们就会知道敌人马上要来了。”
所有的老鼠都非常惊讶，他们竟没有早想到这个方案。但在一片欢欣和庆幸中，一只年长的老鼠站起身说：
“我要说这位晚辈的方案很好。但让我来问一个问题：谁去给猫系铃铛？”
说要做某件事是一回事，真正去做却是另一回事。
以下是英文版本：
BELLING THE CAT
The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from their dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be successful. All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of such a plan before. But in the midst of the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:
"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
