雅思閱讀材料之名著中的典故(2)

　　2.bell the cat自告奮勇去冒險;老虎頭上拍蒼蠅

　　bell the cat系成語to hang the bell about the cat's neck的簡略，愿意是“給貓的脖子上掛鈴”。它來自《伊索寓言》(Aesop's Fables)中的《老鼠會議》(The Mice in Council)

　　這篇寓言講的是：一群老鼠在鼠洞里舉行會議，討論如何對付兇狠的貓。白胡須老鼠提出：“我有個方法，在貓的脖子上掛一個鈴。這樣，貓一走動鈴就響，我們就可以聞鈴聲而逃避了”，群鼠一致同意這個建議，歡呼：“That's a capital idea.We will bell the cat!No more fear of the cat!”但是，誰去給貓掛鈴鐺呢?沒有一只老鼠敢去，一個個都溜掉了。老鼠會議豪無結(jié)果，它們不安全的境況當然也無法改善。

　　寓言所寄托的意思很明白：遇到困難的問題時候，既需要有出謀獻策的人，更需要有挺身而出的實干家。

　　bell the cat常用來比喻to do sth dangerous in order to save others;to step forwar bravely to face the danger;to take a risk for the good of others.

　　eg:Everybody made suggestion,but no one actually offered to bell the cat.

　　We didn't know who would put him this delicate question when my friend offered to bell the cat.