The Master Cat – Puss in Boots

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a miller who had three sons. The miller passed away, leaving behind only a modest inheritance: a mill, a donkey, and a cat. The youngest son, named Jack, was left with the cat. At first, Jack thought he had been cheated, for the cat seemed of little use compared to the mill and donkey his brothers had inherited. But the cat, named Puss, was no ordinary feline. He was a clever and resourceful creature with a plan that would change Jack’s life forever.

One day, Puss approached Jack with a proposal. "Master," he said with a bow, "I know you think you have been left with little, but if you trust me, I will make you rich and famous."

Jack was skeptical but curious. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Puss grinned, his tail flicking with excitement. "I will need you to provide me with a fine pair of boots, a hat, and a bag. With those, I will set off on an adventure that will bring us wealth and glory."

Jack agreed, though still uncertain, and he provided Puss with what he asked for. The cat donned the boots, tied the hat on his head, and grabbed the bag. With a confident flick of his tail, he set off on his journey, leaving Jack to wonder what would become of him.

For days, Puss wandered the countryside, hunting for game to fill his bag. He caught rabbits and birds, all of which he placed in the bag. But Puss wasn’t just a skilled hunter—he was also a clever schemer. His plan was not to simply catch animals for food; he had bigger things in mind.

One day, Puss found himself at the castle of a powerful king who ruled the land. The king was known for his wealth, and Puss had heard rumors that the king’s daughter, the princess, was unmarried. Puss knew that if he could win favor with the king, he might be able to secure a fortune for his master, Jack.

Puss approached the castle gates with confidence, his boots clicking against the stone. He was let in by the guards, and with great poise, he made his way to the king’s throne room.

"Your Majesty," Puss said, bowing low, "I come on behalf of my master, the Marquis of Carabas. He has sent me to present you with a gift of fine game to show his respect and admiration for you."

The king, impressed by the cat’s manners, accepted the gift. "Your master must be a man of great wealth and taste," he remarked, eyeing the plump rabbits and birds in the bag.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Puss replied smoothly. "My master, the Marquis of Carabas, is a man of great fortune, but he is also a humble one. He does not seek attention, only to make your acquaintance."

The king, intrigued by the mention of the Marquis, was eager to meet this wealthy man. He invited Puss to bring Jack to the palace, and Puss promised he would return with his master the next day.

Puss hurried back to Jack’s humble home and told him of the invitation. "Master, it is time to show the king your wealth and nobility. We must act quickly. Come with me to the castle, and follow my lead."

Jack, still unsure of how a simple miller’s son like him could be mistaken for a nobleman, trusted Puss and followed him to the castle. As they approached the royal palace, Puss instructed Jack to take a swim in a nearby river. "Disguise yourself, Master," he said. "The king must believe you are the Marquis of Carabas, so you must not be seen in your ordinary clothes."

Jack did as Puss instructed, leaving his humble garments by the riverbank and emerging in a fine suit, which Puss had secretly arranged for him. When Jack walked into the castle, the king and his daughter, the princess, were stunned by his appearance. The king assumed that Jack was indeed the Marquis of Carabas, just as Puss had claimed.

The princess, too, was taken by Jack’s charm and fine manners. She welcomed him with warmth and hospitality, and soon, Jack and the princess were deep in conversation. Puss, ever the schemer, kept himself busy by distracting the royal servants and spreading rumors of Jack’s immense fortune.

As the day wore on, Puss continued to use his wit and charm to weave a tale of Jack’s wealth. He told the king that his master owned vast lands and castles, though in reality, Jack’s only possession was the mill. Puss had even arranged for the peasants in the surrounding villages to tell the king that they worked on the lands of the "Marquis of Carabas."

The king, who was eager to make an advantageous marriage for his daughter, began to believe Puss’s stories. He offered Jack a great deal of land, and the princess, who had fallen in love with Jack, agreed to marry him.

But Puss’s plans didn’t end there. He had one final move to make. As the royal procession passed through the countryside, Puss ran ahead to a nearby ogre’s castle. The ogre was known for his wealth and magic, and Puss had heard rumors that the ogre had the ability to transform into any creature he desired. Puss, ever the cunning cat, devised a plan to ensure Jack’s success.

When Puss arrived at the ogre’s castle, he flattered the ogre and convinced him that he was the servant of a great nobleman. He told the ogre that Jack, the "Marquis of Carabas," would soon be passing by and might be interested in purchasing the castle.

The ogre, greedy and vain, wanted to impress the "Marquis." He invited Puss to show Jack the castle, but Puss had already planned ahead. As the royal procession approached, Puss cleverly challenged the ogre to transform into a lion. When the ogre complied, Puss quickly tricked him into transforming into a mouse. Then, with one swift move, Puss pounced and ate the mouse, leaving the castle empty for Jack.

When the king and his entourage arrived, they were amazed by the magnificent castle that now belonged to Jack. The king, believing that Jack truly was the wealthy Marquis, approved the marriage, and Jack was married to the princess. The royal wedding was a grand affair, and Jack and the princess were united in love and happiness.

Puss, now a rich and respected cat, lived comfortably in the castle with Jack and the princess. He was showered with admiration for his cleverness, and he continued to serve his master with great loyalty.