Aesop

Belling the Cat

Der Katze die Schelle umhängen

The mice live in such fear of the Cat's claws that they hardly dare leave their dens, night or day. They call a meeting to find some way of knowing when she is coming, and many plans are discussed. Then a very young mouse stands up with a simple idea.

B15 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

The mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves from their enemy, the cat. At least they wanted to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they would have time to run away.

Die Mäuse beriefen einmal eine Versammlung ein, um einen Plan zu beschließen, wie sie sich von ihrem Feind, der Katze, befreien konnten. Zumindest wollten sie einen Weg finden zu wissen, wann sie kam, damit sie Zeit hatten wegzulaufen.

Something really had to be done, because they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared to leave their holes, day or night.

Es musste wirklich etwas getan werden, denn sie lebten in so ständiger Angst vor ihren Krallen, dass sie sich Tag und Nacht kaum aus ihren Löchern trauten.

Many plans were discussed, but none of them seemed good enough. At last a very young mouse got up and said:

Viele Pläne wurden besprochen, aber keiner von ihnen schien gut genug. Schließlich stand eine sehr junge Maus auf und sagte:

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

Belling the Cat · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 206 words · ~5 min · Audio
Der Katze die Schelle umhängen · GermanB1 Intermediate · 203 words · ~5 min · Audio
Το κουδούνι της γάτας · GreekB1 Intermediate · 192 words · ~5 min
Ponerle el cascabel al gato · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 196 words · ~5 min · Audio
Attacher un grelot au chat · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 215 words · ~5 min · Audio
बिल्ली के गले में घंटी · HindiB1 Intermediate · 232 words · ~5 min
Memasang Genta pada Kucing · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 174 words · ~5 min
Mettere il campanello al gatto · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 182 words · ~5 min
猫に鈴をつける話 · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
고양이 목에 방울 달기 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 140 words · ~5 min
De bel bij de kat · DutchB1 Intermediate · 211 words · ~5 min
Kto powiesi dzwonek kotu · PolishB1 Intermediate · 158 words · ~5 min
Colocando o Guizo no Gato · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 206 words · ~5 min
Clopoțelul pisicii · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 199 words · ~5 min
Kediye Çan Takmak · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 159 words · ~5 min
Đeo chuông cho mèo · VietnameseB1 Intermediate · 251 words · ~5 min
给猫挂铃铛 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read Belling the Cat in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

What level is it?

The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.

How long is it?

About 206 words: around 5 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Is it free?

Yes. Read it online with no account. The downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

Belling the Cat

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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