Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots is a fairy tale about a clever cat who uses tricks to make his master rich and help him marry a princess. The cat’s schemes involve presenting gifts to the king, pretending his master is wealthy, and outsmarting an ogre.
Puss in Boots
Long ago, a miller had three sons. When he died, he gave his things to his sons. The oldest got the mill. The second son got the donkey. The youngest son, named Pierre, got the cat.
Pierre was not happy. “My brothers can do big things,” he said, “but I only have a cat. That’s not helpful.”
The cat heard him. This was no normal cat. “Don’t worry,” the cat said. “Give me boots and a bag. I will make you rich.”
Pierre was surprised that the cat could talk. But he gave him boots and a bag.
The cat put on the boots and went out. He caught a rabbit and put it in the bag. Then, he went to the king’s house.
“Hello, King,” the cat said. He bowed low. “My master, the Marquis de Carabas, sent you this rabbit.”
The king liked the gift. He thanked the cat. The cat kept bringing gifts to the king. He said they were from the “Marquis de Carabas.”
One day, the cat heard that the king and his daughter, the princess, would go for a ride. The cat told Pierre, “If you want to be rich, do what I say. Go swim in the river.”
When the king’s ride came near, the cat shouted, “Help! Help! The Marquis de Carabas is drowning!”
The king told his men to help Pierre. When they got Pierre out of the river, the cat told the king that thieves took Pierre’s clothes.
The king had gotten many gifts from the “Marquis de Carabas.” So, he gave Pierre nice clothes. The king liked how Pierre looked. He asked him to come along for the ride.
The cat was happy. His plan was working. He ran in front of the king’s carriage. He saw some people working in a field.
“Listen,” the cat told them. “The king will ask who owns this land. You must say it belongs to the Marquis de Carabas. If you don’t, I will hurt you!” The people were scared and said they would do what the cat said.
When the king came by, he asked who owned the field. The people said, “The Marquis de Carabas!”
The king was very impressed with Pierre’s wealth.
The cat kept running. He came to a big castle. A strong ogre lived there. The cat went inside and said hello to the ogre.
“I hear you can change into any animal,” the cat said. He acted very surprised.
“That’s right,” said the ogre. “I will show you. I will turn into a lion.” The ogre turned into a lion. The cat was very impressed, but also a little scared.
“That’s amazing!” said the cat. “But I also heard you can turn into a very small animal, like a mouse. I don’t believe that.”
“Yes, I can,” said the ogre. He turned into a tiny mouse.
The cat quickly jumped and ate the mouse.
When the king came to the castle, the cat greeted him. “Welcome to the castle of the Marquis de Carabas!” he said.
The king was amazed by the big, beautiful castle. He was also very impressed with the “Marquis de Carabas.” He asked Pierre to marry his daughter, the princess.
Pierre was now rich and powerful. He thanked the cat for his cleverness. The cat became an important lord. Pierre and the princess lived happily ever after.
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