– What am I to do with a cat? thought the youngest son, unhappy. My brothers will get their living well enough, but what am I to do? How will this poor cat ever help me get by?

– Don’t be sad, spoke the cat one day. Get me a bag, a hat and a pair of boots, so that I can easily roam the fields and the woods and I promise you won’t regret it.

Although surprised, the miller’s son made the cat’s wish come true and bought him a pair of brand new red boots. At the and of the day, he had nothing to lose, did he?

The cat put on the boots, threw the bag over his shoulder and set out over the fields, where a flock of sheep were grazing, filled the bag with fresh grass and pretended to be asleep. Zzzzzz. Hardly had Puss in Boots rested, when a little lamb, drawn by the tasty smell of grass, hopped into the bag. SNATCH – the cunning Puss grabbed the bag, tied it up and went straight to the king of the land.

– Your Majesty, I have brought you a gift from my lord, the Marquis of Carabas.

– Tell your lord that I accept his gift gladly.

This way, for months on end, Puss kept on coming back to the palace, bearing all sorts of gifts for the king, on behalf of the so-called Marquis.

After a while, Puss found out that the King was going out on a walk, with his daughter. He set off before the royal chariot and, seeing some mowers working the fields, told them:

– If the King asks you who these warrens and lakes filled with fish belong to, tell him they are the Marquis of Carabas’. Or else…

Scared by the talking cat and thinking he had magical powers, the mowers listened and, when the King asked who the warrens and lake belonged to, they answered at once:

– The good Marquis of Carabas!

– Well, well, well, this Marquis seems to be awfully rich, he told his daughter, impressed.

But the plan did not stop here. He asked his master to bathe in the river precisely when the King and the princess were riding by and started screaming from the top of his lungs:

– Help! Help! My master, the Marquis of Carabas was robbed of everything he had, including his clothes! Heeeeeelp!

The King looked out the window and recognized the cat, who had brought him so many gifts. He immediately sent the guards out to help the Marquis and offered him the most beautiful royal garment. In these fancy clothes, the young man looked sharper than ever and the princess fell deeply in love with him.

Then the smart Puss set out to find the Ogre that ruled those lands. The Ogre lived in a beautiful, yet gloomy castle.

– When I saw this wonderous castle, I simply had to meet you. Especially since I have found out you are a magical giant and you can turn into any creature you please. Is that so?

– It is, said the Ogre proudly. Tell me which creature you wish me to turn into and you’ll see it for yourself.

– I’d like you to turn into a fierce lion, asked Puss.

The Ogre immediately turned into a lion, which frightened Puss, but, the poor cat tried to keep a brave face. When the Ogre went back to normal, Puss told him:

– I bow to you and your greatness – I’ve never seen anything like this before. I wonder if you could also turn into a small, innocent animal. For instance, a little mouse. But if it is too difficult…

– Difficult, you say? To me? Never. I can turn into anything I please. Watch and learn!

The moment Puss saw the mouse, jumped at it and gulp! He swallowed the Ogre whole.

And when the King’s chariot went past the palace, Puss was there, to greet the guests:

– Welcome, your Majesty, to the castle of the Marquis of Carabas.

– Does this castle belong to your master as well? asked the king, surprised.

– Yes, your Majesty. And it would be our pleasure if you joined us for a royal feast.

In the grand hall, which was now filled with the most delicious dishes, was the miller’s son, dressed in royal garments, proud and confident.

– My dear Marquis, said the King. It is obvious that my daugther is deeply fond of you and I can only rejoyce. If you will agree, I would like you to become man and wife.

– Of course I will, answered the miller’s son happily, while looking at the beautiful girl, who was smiling at him lovingly.

And so Puss in Boots became the King’s right hand and the miller’s son lived happily ever after, with his wife and his furry friend with little red boots.