Puss in Boots

Once upon a time, a miller had three sons and three possessions: a windmill, a donkey, and a cat. The eldest son would grind the flour, the second would use the donkey to transport grain and flour, and the cat would catch mice. When the miller died, the eldest took the windmill, the second took the donkey, and the youngest was left with nothing but the cat. Feeling disappointed, he muttered, “I received the worst share. My brothers have tools to earn their living, but what can I do with this miserable cat? Perhaps I could skin it to make a pair of gloves, and that would be the end of my inheritance.”

Hearing this, the cat spoke: “Do not kill me for gloves. Instead, have a shoemaker craft me a pair of boots. Once I wear them, I will walk through town, attract attention, and ensure your fortune grows.” Astonished, the youngest son agreed. Coincidentally, a shoemaker passed by, and the son had him make boots for the cat. When ready, the cat put them on, filled a sack with barley, tied it carefully, and walked on two legs like a human, ready to carry out his plan.

At that time, the king loved partridges, but they had become rare because hunters could hardly catch them. Knowing this, the clever cat spread barley near a hidden snare in the forest and waited. Soon, partridges came to feed, and when enough had entered the sack, the cat carried it straight to the king’s palace. Guards tried to stop him, but the cat boldly said, “I am here to see the king.” One guard objected, but another replied, “Let it in. Perhaps its antics will amuse the king.”

Arriving before the king, the cat bowed and spoke on behalf of his master: “Your Majesty, my master, the Count… [a long, noble title invented by the cat]… respectfully sends greetings and offers these freshly caught partridges.” The king was delighted and allowed the cat to take as much gold as he wished for his master. The youngest son, anxiously watching from home, worried that spending money on the boots might have been wasted. Soon, the cat returned with gold, explained everything, and promised even more wealth the next day. From then on, the cat presented partridges to the king daily, bringing gold home and steadily earning favor as a trusted court figure.

One day, the cat advised his master to go to a lake and jump in. Confused but obedient, the young miller did so. The cat hid his master’s clothes and cried out to the king, “A thief has stolen my master’s clothes while he was bathing!” Concerned, the king sent royal garments, which the master wore. Impressed by the young man’s apparent generosity and gifts, the king treated him with great honor, and even the princess found him charming.

The cat then traveled through vast meadows, barley fields, and forests where hundreds of workers labored, instructing them to claim the lands as belonging to his master, the Count. If anyone disobeyed, they faced severe consequences. When the king passed through these areas, everyone confirmed the Count’s ownership. Finally, the cat entered a sorcerer’s castle, flattering the wizard, and cleverly provoking him to turn into a mouse. Quick as lightning, the cat captured and devoured the mouse, demonstrating courage and cunning.

Through all these clever maneuvers, the Puss in Boots not only ensured his master’s wealth and social status but also outwitted every challenge with intelligence and strategy. When the king visited the Count’s magnificent estate, he was amazed at its grandeur. The princess married the Count, and when the king passed away, the Count ascended to the throne, appointing the cat as his chief advisor. Through cleverness, resourcefulness, and daring, Puss in Boots transformed the poor miller’s son into a wealthy and powerful noble, proving that wit and strategy can shape destiny.