# Belling the Cat

- Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/
- Published: 2025-05-25T09:07:15+05:30
- Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI

[English Language Lab](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/) [Stories for Kids](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)
Belling the Cat

 A thoughtful fable

# Belling the Cat

A group of mice imagines a clever way to stay safe, then has to decide who will 
carry it out.

📖 2-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Planning and putting ideas into action

[Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/#sf-story-text)

![Belling the cat](https://res.cloudinary.com/xhdxr70z/images/c_scale,w_768,h_512,
dpr_2/f_auto,q_auto/v1791110752/Belling-the-cat/Belling-the-cat.webp?_i=AA)

**A story of planning and putting ideas into action**Read together · Retell · Imagine

 Settle in and read at your pace

A story to read together

## Belling the Cat

Take your time. Let the story unfold.

A group of mice lived in a pantry where a quiet cat often waited. The mice were 
worried about finding food safely. One evening they held a meeting to think of a
plan.

Chapter one

### A clever idea

A young mouse suggested tying a small bell around the cat’s collar. Then the mice
would hear the cat coming and have time to hide. Everyone agreed that the idea sounded
clever.

Chapter two

### A plan needs steps

Several mice had ideas, but none wanted to creep close to the cat. They realized
that liking a plan was not the same as knowing how to do it safely.

Chapter three

### A safer solution

The farmer noticed the mice had been staying away from the grain. He moved the food
into a covered bin and gave the cat a bell on its collar.

Chapter four

### Ideas and action

At the next meeting, the mice thanked the older mouse for asking how the plan would
work. They learned to think about the steps, risks and helpers before making a decision.

 The end

###  Story path

[01A clever idea](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/#sf-chapter-a-clever-idea)
[02A plan needs steps](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/#sf-chapter-a-plan-needs-steps)
[03A safer solution](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/#sf-chapter-a-safer-solution)
[04Ideas and action](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/belling-the-cat-story/#sf-chapter-ideas-and-action)

###  Word basket

**pantry**a small room or cupboard where food is kept

**collar**a band worn around an animal’s neck

**practical**useful and possible to do

**alert**ready to notice what is happening

**Read it together**

Let learners brainstorm more than one solution. Ask what resources, risks or roles
each plan would need.

## After the final page

There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.

Remember

Why do the mice want to put a bell on the cat?

Think

What makes a good plan possible to carry out?

Imagine

Why was the question “Who will put the bell on?” important?

**Make something:** Invent a plan for a classroom problem. List the materials, helpers
and safe steps needed to carry it out.

[← Previous storyThe Fox and the Grapes](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-fox-and-the-grapes-story/)
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