アイソーポスの物語の一つを日本語へ翻訳した。

かつてネズミたちは彼らの宿敵の猫を扱うための会議を招集した。少なくとも逃げる機会があるように、せめていつが来るかを分かりたかった。猫の鉤爪を怖がらせるすぎて、夜でも昼間でも、巣から出るのは無理だから、確かに対策が必要がある。

色々な作戦について話したが、結局全部中途半端だと思われた。ついに、最も若いネズミは立ち上がって「私は簡単そうなアイデアがあるだが、きっと成功するよ」と言った。

「猫の首に鈴を吊るすだけだ。鈴を聞いたら、相手が来るのをすぐに分かる。」

こんなにいいアイデアを前に考えなかったネズミたちはびっくりした。でも、この幸運を祝う間に、年上のネズミは急にこう言った。

「ネズミくんの作戦は確かにいい。でも一つ質問がある。誰が猫に鈴を吊るすか。」

何かをやると言うのは簡単なものだけど、本当にするのは別の物語だ。

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. 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.

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

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

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."

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:

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

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