Puss in Boots.

We met entirely by chance. And he burrowed into my life so unobtrusively that I find it hard to believe he hadn't always been there. Our story has only just begun...


Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there lived a poor miller with three sons. When the miller died he left his mill to his oldest son and the mule to his second son. He left his third son his cat.

But this was an unusual cat, because this cat could speak! "If you will make me a pair of boots we will always have good luck," the cat said. The boots were made and then, as if by magic, a whole set of clothes appeared! There were velvet trousers, a silk shirt, a fine red jacket, a sword and a large hat with a very beautiful feather. Dressed in his new clothes, the cat looked quite splendid.

He set off for the royal palace with a large fat rabbit which he had caught. " My master, the Marquis of Carabas, sends you this gift," he said proudly, as he bowed deeply.

He took a new gift every day, and the king was pleased with tht presents. He pretended that he had heard of the Marquis. But, of course the cat had just made up that name!

One day, Puss in Boots heard that the king and his daughter were going to the river. "Go down to the river to swim," he told his master, "and stay there until I call you."

The young man went into the water, and Puss hid his ragged clothes. Soon the king came by, and Puss called out, "Help! Help! The Marquis of Carabas is drowning!"

The king's footmen helped the young man out and the cunning Puss said that Marquis' clothes had been stolen while he was swimming! Immediately the king ordered some fine clothes to be brought from the palace for the young man.

The miller's son looked very handsome in his new clothes, and the king's daughter fell in love with him. They went together to the palace.

Puss ran ahead of the carriage, and asked all the people in the countryside to tell the king that the land belonged to the Marquis of Carabas, and that he was a good master.

When the king heard all they said about the Marquis of Carabas he was very impressed. He liked the young man very much, and thought that he would make an excellent husband for the princess.

Puss in Boots was still busy with his cunning plans! He came to the large castle which was the home of a giant who had great powers of magic. Puss ran up to the great doors and told the servants that he had a message from the Marquis of Carabas.

He made his master sound very important, and the servants led him through the dark dusty rooms to the giant's door.

At last he was face to face with the giant.

"I have heard of your magic powers," said the Puss, with a grand flourish of his hat, "and I have travelled far to see them for myself. Can you really change yourself into whatever you wish? Could you become a mule, or an elephant, or a fierce lion?"
"Indeed I can," thundered the huge giant.
"I can turn into any creature I wish to."

And quick as a flash, he became a mule, and an elephant, and then a fierce growling lion.

"How wonderful!" said Puss. "I see you have truly amazing powesr. You have shown me how large and ferocious you can be. But is it possible for a big fellow like you to become as small as a mouse?"

"That is much more difficult," said the giant, "but I can do it."

He closed his eyes, and concentrated very hard. Then, suddenly, he became a small brown mouse scampering about the room.

This was all that Puss wanted. With one quick stroke he pounced on the mouse and killed it! The wicked giant was dead, and the sun shone again through the dark and dreary castle.

Puss ran to the door of the castle just as the king's carriage came rumbling by. The king and his daughter and the miller's son were riding in it.

"Welcome!" called Puss. "Welcome to the castle of the Marquis of Carabas."

They all went in, and a fine feast awaited them. After dining the miller's son and the princess told the king that they loved each other and they wanted to be married.

The king was delighted, and everyone in the kingdomwas invited to the wedding. There was great joy and feasting throughout the land.

Puss in Boots, a very special guest, indeed, looked grand in his fine clothes.

Only the miller's son knew that all his good fortune was due to Puss in Boots, and he was grateful to him forever.

The miller's youngest son would never be poor again, and he and the princess and their faithful friend, Puss in Boots, all lived happily ever after.



...but this is not our story. I mean, we are going to have a happily-ever-after, just that this isn't our story. This is Charles Perrault's story, and this is my way of acknowledging his great contribution to our story.

*Blush*