给猫系铃

《伊索寓言》给猫系铃。老鼠们曾召开一次会议，决定制定一个计划来摆脱它们的敌人——那只猫。至少，它们希望能找到某种方法来预知它的到来，这样它们就有时间逃跑了。

The Æsop for Children 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.

确实，必须得想个办法了。因为它们时时刻刻都害怕猫的利爪，无论白天还是晚上，几乎都不敢走出洞穴。

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.

大家讨论了许多方案，但大家觉得没有一个够好。最后，一只非常年轻的老鼠站起来说道：

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

“我有一个计划，看起来非常简单，但我知道它一定会成功。

“I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be successful.

我们所要做的就是给猫的脖子上挂一个铃铛。当我们听到铃声时，就会立刻知道我们的敌人来了。”

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.”

所有的老鼠都非常惊讶，它们之前竟然没想到这样的计划。但就在大家为这份好运欢欣鼓舞时，一只年老的老鼠站起来说道：

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:

“我承认这只年轻老鼠的计划非常好。但请允许我问一个问题：谁去给猫系铃呢？”

“I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?”

说某事应该做是一回事，而真正去做则是另一回事。

It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.