Throwback: The Mouse Who Hung the Bell

Summary

Episode Summary: "Throwback: The Mouse Who Hung the Bell"

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Host: Amanda Weldon
Episode: Throwback: The Mouse Who Hung the Bell
Release Date: July 17, 2025

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1. Episode Overview

In this special throwback episode, Amanda Weldon revisits a cherished classic from the Stories Podcast archive: "The Mouse Who Hung the Bell." Designed for children and families seeking enchanting and moral-rich tales, this episode delivers a captivating story that blends bravery, strategy, and the timeless lessons of courage and leadership.

2. Main Story: "The Mouse Who Hung the Bell"

a. Setting the Stage

The narrative begins in a "cottage clean and shiny," where an army of mice convenes to strategize against their formidable foe—a cat. The cat is vividly described with "snow white fur, a nose of velvet pink," and uniquely colored eyes: "one summer garden green, the other blue as winter" (00:05). The mice gather in desperation, aware that the cat's "blue eye had a killer gleam when hunting mice for dinner" (00:07), highlighting the imminent threat they face.

Amanda Weldon: "The wise mice shared their plans for how best to survive." (00:03)

b. The Proposal for the Bell

Amidst heated discussions and frantic debates, a young and spirited mouse steps forward with a daring proposal: to hang a bell on the cat's collar. This ingenious idea aims to provide an audible warning each time the cat approaches, effectively nullifying its predatory advantage.

Young Mouse: "We'll hang this on her collar and the beast will kill no more. She'll jingle, jangle as she walks." (00:12)

The assembly reacts with a resounding cheer, buoyed by the hope that this plan could finally secure their safety.

Amanda Weldon: "A goodly plan, my fine young friend. But who will hang the bell?" (00:18)

c. The Dilemma of Courage

Despite the initial enthusiasm, a stark realization sets in: none of the mice are willing to undertake the perilous task of attaching the bell to the cat. One by one, they present excuses, revealing their fears and hesitations.

Male Mouse: "I'll hang the bell, but you know my paw is sprained." (00:22)
Female Mouse: "I would hang the bell, but I'm getting awfully old." (00:23)

The atmosphere grows tense as the mice grapple with the reality that a plan, however brilliant, remains futile without someone brave enough to execute it.

Old Mouse: "It's easy to propose a plan but hard to see it done." (00:25)

d. The Heroic Sacrifice

Enter Brave Benjamin, the young and determined mouse who initially proposed the bell. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he steps forward to take on the challenge himself, embodying true leadership and selflessness.

Brave Benjamin: "I will go. I'll bell the cat." (00:30)

The mice rally behind him, providing the necessary tools: a spool of twine and a sharp blade. As Benjamin prepares to face the cat, he expresses both determination and a poignant farewell, acknowledging the risks involved.

Brave Benjamin: "If, my friends, it happens that it's I who takes a fall, remember me, brave Benjamin, and that I did my very best." (00:40)

Tragically, Benjamin does not return, and his fate remains a mystery. However, his bravery ensures that the cat now wears the bell, forever changing the dynamics between predator and prey.

Amanda Weldon: "The beast now wears a bell and jingles loudly to this day." (00:50)

3. Moral and Insights

"The Mouse Who Hung the Bell" imparts several meaningful lessons:

• Courage Over Comfort: The story underscores the importance of stepping up when faced with challenges, even when it means personal risk.

  Old Mouse: "It's easy to propose a plan but hard to see it done." (00:25)

• Leadership and Sacrifice: Benjamin's willingness to face danger for the greater good exemplifies true leadership and self-sacrifice.

• Community and Responsibility: The mice initially refuse to act, highlighting how fear can paralyze a community. Benjamin's actions demonstrate how one individual's courage can inspire and protect the entire group.

• Lasting Impact: The bell serves as a lasting testament to Benjamin's bravery, ensuring safety and serving as a reminder of what one can achieve despite fears.

4. Conclusion

In concluding the episode, Amanda Weldon reflects on the enduring value of such stories in teaching vital life lessons to young listeners. She emphasizes that tales like "The Mouse Who Hung the Bell" are not only entertaining but also instrumental in shaping values like bravery, leadership, and community spirit.

Amanda Weldon: "Remember long brave Benjamin, the mouse who belled the cat." (00:58)

By revisiting this classic story, the episode reinforces the importance of courage and the profound impact one individual can have on their community.

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Note: This summary focuses solely on the narrative content of the episode, omitting advertisements, promotional segments, and closing remarks to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Amanda Weldon]

Hello. Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a throwback episode. Tune in to hear one of our classic stories from the archive that you might have missed the first time around. We have Stories Podcast merch, [e-mail] shop. We're also on cameo for all of your personalized video message needs. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram Stories Podcast if you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed. Now, here's a word from our sponsors the scariest part of summer isn't the sunburn, it's the spending. There are the last minute road trips, pricey snack hauls and bottomless SPF restocks, and your wallet's feeling the heat. Cool it with DoorDash and save big on your seasonal must haves during summer of DashPass. Ice cream is my favorite treat in the summertime. And when it gets simply too hot to move, I love to doordash a sundae from one of the ice cream places nearby. 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Podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com dragon Visit ixl.com dragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Thanks. Enjoy the Episode the Mouse who Hung the Bell Once upon a time, in a cottage clean and shiny, an army planned for war against an enemy grown fat. Gathered in their hundreds, all soft and gray and tiny, the wise mice shared their plans for how best to survive. The cat, the enemy, had snow white fur, a nose of velvet pink. One eye was summer garden green, the other blue as winter. Her green eye never slept, they said, not so much as a wink. But her blue eye had a killer gleam when hunting mice for dinner. We should attack this brazen beast. The Colonel mouse did cry. A hundred hands with needle swords and surely we will slay it. Another mouse just shook his head. His body heaved a sigh. If we kill the killer, we're no better. I sorry friend to say it. The mice all yelled and argued. They pushed and shoved and fought. It seemed likely to go on all night with no decision made, till finally a voice rang out and said, I have a thought. It was a young and wild mouse with one ear chewed and frayed. Well, come here, boy, and tell it true. A kind old mouse, she said. The boy pushed forward through the crowd and boldly took the floor. A way to stop the beast, he said, lifting a bell big as his head. We'll hang this on her collar and the beast will kill no more. The mice all cheered out loudly. We'll end the monster's reign. She'll jingle, jangle as she walks. A warning and a tell. An old mouse stood up, frail and blind, supported by a cane. A goodly plan, my fine young friend. But who will hang the bell? The mice? They all fell silent. The wind whipped from their sails. Not one of them was brave enough to try and do the deed. One by one they sat down slow, all resting on their tails. They knew the one who hung the bell'd be eaten, guaranteed. The minutes passed and none spoke up. No murmur, not a squeak to bell the cat. A daring plan, but risk being devoured. When the silence grew too long to bear, they all began to Speak with each mouse Making an excuse to not be thought a coward. Well, I would hang the bell but you know my paw is sprained and I would hang the bell But I'm getting awfully old well, I would hang the bell But I'm utterly untrained and I would hang the bell But I'm fighting awful cold well, I would hang the bell But I doubt that I could lift it and I would hang the bell But I have an allergy to cats well, I would hang the bell But I fear I'm just not gifted I would hang the bell but my fur is full of mats on and on it went around, with each mouse bowing out. It seemed the plan to bell the cat Was setting like the sun. The old mouse said, so now you see the value of a shout. It's easy to propose a plan but hard to see it done. The moral thus imparted. Our story may have ended there if not for the young wild boy who first brought forth the bell, who by the elder's wisdom was so wisely made aware that the one who has the plan should be the one to lead as well. I will go. I'll bell the cat. The young mouse roared out to the crowd, and wild went the mass of mice, all yelling, clapping, cheering. I'll need a rope. I'll need a blade. And have them both be long and proud and never shall we fear the beast as long as we have hearing. Some mice brought forth a spool of twine and cut a piece to perfect length. Our hero looped it through the bell and round and round him like a pack. And three small girls brought forth a blade, held it high with all their strength. It was a sword of twisted brass, long as a line, sharp as a tack. The young boy lifted up the sword with light. It shone from wall to wall. I go now to bell the cat to put our fears and frights to rest. But if, my friends, it happens that it's I who takes a fall, remember me, brave Benjamin, and that I did my very best. Our hero walked back through the crowd, and the mice all bowed down low, giving their respect unto the boy who'd faced the beast. That was the last they saw him, silhouetted by the glow from the light beyond the mouse hole where they'd always hid in peace. And though they waited minutes, hours, days, the boy never returned. And what happened in the clash tween cat and mouse? Well, none can say. All we know is young brave Ben for good the name of hero earned. For, you see, the beast now wears a bell and jingles loudly to this day. Yes, once upon a time, in a cottage clean and shiny, an army planned for war against an enemy grown fat. But only one could see it done when life called for a hero. Tiny so remember long brave Benjamin, the mouse who belled the cat. And though no one can say for sure, and though no one can surely say, we hear that young brave Benjamin may still be belling cats today. The End Today's story, the Mouse who Hung the Bell was an Aesop inspired story written by Daniel Hines and performed by me, Amanda Weldon. If you would like to support Stories podcast, you can leave us a five star review on itunes. Check out all of our merch [e-mail] Shop Commission a special video on Cameo. Follow us on Instagram oriespodcast or simply tell your friends about us. Thanks for listening.