Introduction
This tale dates back no earlier than the thirteenth century, though it takes the form of one of Aesop’s Fables from ancient Greece. The author was Odo, a clergyman from Cheriton in Kent, who spent several years on the Continent before coming home in 1233 and settling down to his family estates. His fable reflects, he tells us, his experience of monks chafing under corrupt abbots.
LONG ago, the Mice gathered in anxious council to debate how they could best defend themselves against their great enemy, the Cat.
After a great deal of excited squeaking, one Mouse addressed the assembly with statesmanlike gravity.
“My fellow Mice” said he, “the solution must be this. Let a bell be fastened around the cat’s neck. Then we shall be able to hear him on the prowl, and take evasive action against his assaults.”
This ingenious plan pleased the council very much.
However, amid all the back-slapping and hubbub of congratulation a voice rose to ask, “Who will fasten the bell on the cat’s neck?”, and a rather awkward silence followed.
“Not me, that’s for sure” said someone. “Nor me” piped another, “I wouldn’t so much as go near him, not for all the tea in China.”
And that is why we let the rich and powerful go on lording it over us.*
Odo tells his tale to illustrate the dilemma facing monks living under the rule of a wicked abbot or bishop, and this is the moral he draws.
Précis
Some mice got together to discuss the recurrent problem of a prowling cat. One had the bright idea of fastening a bell onto him, so they would know when he was coming, but understandably no one wanted the job of attaching it. That is why powerful people so often get away with their injustices. (54 / 60 words)
Some mice got together to discuss the recurrent problem of a prowling cat. One had the bright idea of fastening a bell onto him, so they would know when he was coming, but understandably no one wanted the job of attaching it. That is why powerful people so often get away with their injustices.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, may, ought, since, unless, until, whether.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Back. Great. They.
2 Awkward. Hear. Themselves.
3 Evasive. Excite. Prowl.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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