The Council of the Rats, ca 1870
Illustration by Gustave Doré
Wood engraving
The Council Held By The Rats
As the story (ascribed to Aesop) goes… a certain cat spread so much terror through the kingdom of the rats that they held a council to decide what should be done. One wise old rat suggested that a bell should be fastened around the cat’s neck to give warning of his approach, and all approved of this idea. But who was to do it? Nobody volunteered and the whole thing ended in talk.
(Quoted after Robert L. Peters)