Aesop 003: Belling the Cat

【1】 Indyel i Miuyen

  

► Belling the Cat

【2】 --



► --

【3】 I Nyarrinci néya carner yomenië þantiën panwë na eterúna intë cottoltallo, i Miuë.

              

► The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy, the Cat.

¶ Annún merneltë tuvë lé istiën yá túlanes, itan uva ten lúmë hónoriën.

             

► At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away.

¶ É, maunë carë ma, pan oialë tandë þóreáneltë napparyar i hraië veryaneltë etemenë haustantallo auressë hya lómessë.

                   

► 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.

【4】 Lanquentes linë panwi, mal namneltë alla illio faren mára.

          

► Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough.

¶ Teldavë anwinya Nyarrincë tolunë ar equë:

      

► At last a very young Mouse got up and said:

【5】 “Samin panwë ya nemë lai eripsinwa, mal istan i nauvas túrë.

            

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

【6】 I reä carda ya möa men carë ná nutë indyel os i Miuiva lango.

              

► All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's neck.

¶ Yá hlaruvalvë i indyel hyalë, tá istuvalvë ú-pusto i cottolva túla.”

            

► When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that our enemy is coming."

【7】 Lio aitanë ilyë Nyarrinci i uiéneltë nauya taitë panwë fai.

          

► All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of such a plan before.

¶ Mal endessë alariënto pá almelta, enwina Nyarrincë oronyë ar equë:

           

► But in the midst of the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:

【8】 “Quetuvan í vinya Nyarrincio panwë ná arya.

       

► "I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good.

¶ Mal ányë carë min maquetta: Man nutuva i indyel i Miuissë?”

           

► But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?"

【9】 --



► --

【10】 Eques: Quetië i möa carë ná alavéla ve carië.

          

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