Puss in Boots
A Miller and His Inheritance
In a land far, far away, there once lived a miller with his three sons. The youngest son, Marqui, had always been his favorite. But when the miller died, he left the mill to his eldest son, a donkey to the middle son, and a cat named Puss to the youngest.
The older brothers laughed and left Marqui to fend for himself. He was disappointed and wondered why his father had left him a cat.
— Oh, Puss, what am I to do with you? I can barely support myself. I don't have a mill, not even a donkey. How will I live?
The Talking Cat and His Plan
Then, something magical happened that surprised Marqui.
— Don't worry, master! I can help you. — Puss, you can talk? A cat is talking to me! — Oh, I can do more than that, master! Give me a sack and a pair of boots, and I'll show you what I can do.
Marqui was still amazed and wondered how he would get a sack and a pair of boots, but seeing a talking cat gave him hope.
— All right, Puss, I'll give you the sack and a pair of boots. Let's see what you can do.
The Magic Boots and the First Hunt
Marqui took the little money he had and went to a shoemaker. The shoemaker was surprised to hear such a strange request.
— Boots for your cat? Are you sure? — Yes, please.
Puss soon received his boots and a large sack.
— Puss, now you have what you asked for. What are you going to do? — First, I'm going to bring something for dinner.
Gifts for the King
Puss went to a place where he knew he could catch rabbits. He put some carrots and lettuce in the sack and left it open. He went behind a tree and waited. It wasn't long before a few rabbits found the sack and crept inside to eat. Puss jumped out from behind the tree and quickly closed the sack.
— I've got you!
He brought the rabbits to Marqui.
— Here's our dinner! — Puss, you brought rabbits! Thank you!
They prepared a hearty meal and had enough left over for the next day. But the next day, Puss didn't rest. He left again and caught even more rabbits using the same trick. On his way home, he decided to pay a visit to the king at the castle. The castle guards stopped him.
— Let me pass, gentlemen! I have gifts for the king. I'm sure he wouldn't be pleased to hear you stopped me. — A cat in boots who talks? — It will surely be a pleasant sight for the king. Let him pass.
Meeting the Royal Family
They stared as Puss entered the castle door. He arrived before the king, queen, and princess, and to their astonishment, began to speak.
— Your Majesty, my name is Puss. I serve my master, the Marquis of Carabas. He offers you these rabbits as a token of gratitude. Please accept them, Sire. — Oh, what a magical cat! We are delighted you are here. Tell your master that we accept his gift and appreciate the gesture. — Thank you, Sire.
The princess looked amused at the magical cat and his boots.
— We shall call you Puss in Boots. Frego, make sure he leaves with a full stomach. Offer him the best cream with milk we have.
Frego, the king's servant, did as he was asked, and Puss happily licked up all the cream and left the castle.
An Ambitious Plan
Puss returned to Marqui and told him what had happened.
— Puss in Boots! You met the royal family! Tell me, how was the princess? — Oh, she was as beautiful as the bowl of cream with milk she gave me. She had a pleasant voice and a kind soul. You must marry her! — Me? I may be your master, but I am no prince. A prince with a huge castle will marry her.
Puss said nothing. But every day, he went to the castle and brought the king a rabbit or two as a gift. Soon, word spread about Puss in Boots, the magical talking cat who hunts for his master and brings gifts to the king.
A Visit to the Ogre
Not far away, an ogre lived in a huge castle, and he was as big as an ogre can be. No one crossed his path, and those who did were eaten on the spot. But Puss was brave enough to pay him a visit, so he knocked on the castle door.
When the ogre opened the door, he began to laugh, looking at the cat in front of him wearing boots.
— Ha ha ha! What is this? A cat in boots? — And one who talks, sir. — Oh, he talks! Wait a minute. You must be the Puss in Boots I've been hearing about. — And you, sir, are the great ogre with amazing powers. Everyone fears you.
The ogre was pleased to hear he was renowned.
— You're lucky I don't eat cats! Come on in!
Puss entered the castle, and the amused ogre wondered why he had come.
— Why are you here? — I wanted to see what magical powers you have. I heard you can transform into any animal. Is that true? — Of course, it's true! — Can you show me? I'd love to see.
The Transformed Ogre
Then the ogre transformed into a mighty, immense lion. He began to roar at poor Puss, who jumped up in fear.
— All right, I believe you! Change back! — Ha ha! Now you believe me? — Yes, I believe you, but... — Yes? — Can you also transform into a smaller animal? You're so big! — I can transform into anything! Watch out!
And in an instant, he transformed into a tiny mouse. Puss had been waiting for this moment. He pounced on it and quickly swallowed it.
— Ah! What a heavy meal!
He left the castle, holding his head high. Everything was going as he had planned.
The River Bath and the Meeting with the King
Puss returned home to his master.
— No rabbits today? — Master, let's go to the river for a bath. — Now? — Yes, master, right now! Trust me!
Marqui was confused, but he followed Puss to the river. He took off his clothes and entered the river to bathe. Puss quickly took his clothes and hid them under a stone. Nearby was a road where the king's carriage passed. Puss knew the royal family passed on that road once a week. He waited for the carriage to get closer and began to shout.
— Help! Help!
The carriage stopped, and the king looked out the window at the sound of the familiar voice.
— Puss! What are you doing here? — Your Majesty, please, help my master, the Marquis of Carabas! He was bathing in the river when someone took his clothes and ran away. It's cold, and my master will soon fall ill if no one helps him! — Guards! Choose the best clothes and hurry to help the Marquis of Carabas! Make sure he is warm and well-dressed!
The Prince of Carabas
The guards quickly went to the river with the royal clothes, and soon the master of Puss in Boots appeared, accompanied by the guards. He looked like a prince, dressed in the king's clothes. The princess looked out the carriage window, and thus Marqui saw her for the first time.
— Oh, the Marquis of Carabas is such a handsome prince! — The princess is as charming as I imagined her to be.
Marqui snapped out of his daydream and bowed to the king.
— Thank you for your good deed, Your Majesty. — No, I thank you! I am pleased to finally meet the Marquis of Carabas. We have enjoyed receiving gifts every day. We have much to talk about, but first, allow us to take you home.
The Marquis's Castle
Puss, who was watching the whole scene, suddenly addressed the king.
— Your Highness, we would be delighted to welcome you to my master's castle. Wouldn't we, master?
Marqui looked at Puss in surprise.
— Our castle?
Puss nodded, and although Marqui was confused, he decided to trust Puss once more.
— Ah, yes, Your Majesty! I invite you to dine at my castle. — Very well! Let's go!
Marqui got into the carriage, and Puss ran ahead of them. They were heading towards the properties that had belonged to the ogre. The ogre had many farmers working the land. Puss went to the farmers to warn them.
— Be careful! The king is approaching! If the king asks who owns these lands, you must say they belong to the Marquis of Carabas. If you don't say that, the king will cut off your heads!
The farmers were scared, so out of fear, they agreed. The king's carriage soon arrived at the properties. The king looked at the working farmers and shouted to them.
— To whom do these lands belong? For whom do you work? — For the Marquis of Carabas, Sire!
The king and his family were impressed.
— Marquis of Carabas, you own some beautiful properties! — Thank you, Sire.
The Royal Wedding and a Happy Life
When the carriage arrived at the ogre's castle, Puss was ready to greet them. He had taken care of all the preparations. The king, his family, and Marqui descended from the carriage to admire the castle.
— Oh! What a wonderful castle! — Indeed!
Marqui quickly realized that this was supposed to be his castle.
— Sire, welcome to my castle of Carabas. Please, come in and dine with us.
That day, Marqui and Puss in Boots welcomed the royal family to a huge feast filled with delicacies. Puss had arranged for the ogre's servants to prepare a fantastic meal for everyone. Marqui and the princess kept looking at each other, and so did the king and queen. They knew they had found a good man for their daughter. The king spoke to Marqui and said the words he thought he would never hear.
— Lord Marquis, I ask you as a father, not as a king. Will you marry my daughter? — Sire, it would be a pleasure and an honor.
Marqui and the princess soon married, and the miller's son became a prince. Marqui was finally grateful to his father for leaving him a cat. Puss in Boots never needed to hunt rabbits again. He lived with the prince and princess and enjoyed a royal life at the castle.
Anyone, regardless of their origin, can achieve success with intelligence, courage, and a little help from unexpected friends.
