Some things never change.
For example, mice have always been afraid of cats.
When cats are hunting, some mice are lucky.
Others are not.
The mice in Cheese Town never knew when a cat might appear.
They couldn't tell how many cats were near.
There was no safe place for a mouse.
Cats were everywhere.
Finally, the mice realized that they had to do something.
They decided to hold a meeting.
"Quiet, please," said Mr. Whiskers, the mayor of the mice.
"As you know, we have a big problem with cats.
What can we do?" he asked.
A mouse named Luke waved his hand.
"Yes, Luke? Do you have any ideas?" asked Mr. Whiskers.
"We can make cat traps!" Luke said excitedly.
"Instead of cheese, we can use fake mice."
"Any other ideas?" Mr. Whiskers asked. "Yes, Alice?"
"We can poison them," suggested Alice.
"When the cats are sleeping, we can put poison in their milk."
Mr. Whiskers shook his head.
"Any more ideas?"
All the mice began to speak at once.
Every mouse had a different idea.
Then, a wise old mouse stood up.
He spoke slowly and quietly.
"If we could hear a cat coming, then we could hide."
"But how will we hear if a cat is coming?" Mr. Whiskers asked.
The old mouse paused and thought.
"We can tie bells around the cats' necks while they are sleeping," he said.
"When we hear a bell, we will know a cat is coming."
All the mice stood up and cheered.
It was a great idea!
It seemed like all their troubles were solved.
"But who will tie the bells to the cats?" asked a small mouse.
Everyone stopped cheering.
Finally, the old mouse spoke, "Some things are easier said than done."