The Tale of David and Puss in Boots

Once upon a time, an old miller decided to pass down his windmill to two of his three sons. However, to his youngest son, David, he only gave a cat. This cat, named Puss, didn’t seem like much of an inheritance, and David felt quite disheartened.

While David's two brothers celebrated their new windmill, they made it clear they didn’t want David around. Saddened, David sought comfort under his favorite thinking tree, a place where he could always sort out his thoughts.

As David sat beneath the tree, an idea came to him. “Puss and I can live in that little house in the woods,” he thought. Just then, he heard a voice behind him.

“Get me a pair of boots,” the voice said.

David spun around, but saw no one other than Puss. He was startled when Puss spoke again, “Oh, and I’ll need a bag too.”

“You… you can talk?” David stammered in surprise.

“Yes,” Puss replied calmly, “but let’s keep that between us. Get me the boots, and you’ll never have to work again.”

“Why do you want boots?” asked David, still in shock.

“Oh, I just fancy a pair,” Puss said with a mischievous grin. “And don’t forget the bag.”

David thought about it for a moment. “If I never have to work, think of all the good I could do for people,” he mused. Then, with determination, he said, “Alright, let’s go to the shoemaker!”

The next morning, the shoemaker handed them a fine pair of boots and a small bag. Puss tried on the boots and admired his new look in the mirror.

As they walked back home, David spotted a tree brimming with ripe apricots. He picked one, and it tasted wonderful.

“I’ve got an idea,” Puss said, “pick ten of those apricots for me. I would, but you see, I only have claws.”

David quickly agreed, gathering the apricots and placing them in the bag as Puss had asked.

With the bag of apricots in hand, Puss set off towards the king’s palace. Upon arriving, he knocked on the door.

The doorkeeper answered, “Who’s there?”

“I have something special for the king’s dinner,” Puss announced confidently.

“He’s in the garden, playing tennis with the princess,” the doorkeeper said.

Puss found the king in the garden with his daughter, Princess Elisetta. The princess had just won their match, and the king was in a bit of a huff, having lost again.

“Your Majesty,” Puss began, “I have something in my bag that will lift your spirits.”

The king’s eyes lit up as he saw the apricots. “These are from my master, the Lord Marquis of Carrabas,” Puss declared.

“Thank your master for this delightful gift,” the king said with a smile.

The princess, noticing Puss’s remarkable talking ability, ordered the butler to bring him a glass of the finest milk.

Over the next few days, Puss continued to bring apricots to the palace. David was amazed when Puss told him about the fictional Lord Marquis of Carrabas.

One day, Puss instructed David to go for a swim in the river. While David was enjoying his swim, Puss took all of his clothes and hid them behind a bush. As Puss anticipated, the king’s carriage soon came along.

“Your Majesty!” Puss cried out, “My master was swimming, and someone has stolen his clothes!”

“We can’t have that!” the king exclaimed, and Princess Elisetta agreed.

The princess returned to the palace and selected some fine clothes for David. She sent the butler back to the river with them.

When David was dressed in the magnificent clothes, he looked every bit like a prince.

“I don’t think they’ll be impressed by our little house in the woods,” David worried.

“Don’t fret,” Puss reassured him, “I have a plan.”

They soon came across a field where harvesters were working. “When the king arrives, tell him these fields belong to the Marquis of Carrabas,” Puss instructed them.

Nearby, there was a giant’s castle. Fortunately, the giant was away on holiday, so David and Puss slipped inside.

When the king’s carriage arrived, he asked the harvesters whose fields they were. As instructed, they replied, “They belong to the Marquis of Carrabas.” The king was very pleased.

The king and Princess Elisetta then arrived at the castle. Puss greeted them warmly, saying, “Welcome to my master’s home, the Marquis of Carrabas.”

As soon as David and Princess Elisetta saw each other, they fell in love.

The king, impressed with the castle and seeing how much his daughter and David cared for each other, soon agreed they should marry.

“What are your plans for the future?” the king asked.

“We’ll buy the windmill so everyone in the village can have free bread forever, and we’ll share the fruit from our trees,” David replied.

“Save some apricots for me!” the king said with a laugh.

“And what about you?” David asked Puss.

“Oh, I’ve got plenty of fun and games ahead!” Puss replied with a wink.

And so, David and Princess Elisetta were married and lived happily ever after, with Puss by their side.