Puss in Boots (Perrault)
Short summary
A miller died leaving his three sons a mill, donkey, and cat. The youngest son received only the cat and felt hopeless. The cat asked for boots and a bag, promising to help his master.
The cat caught game and presented it to the king as gifts from the 'Marquis of Carabas.' Later, he staged his master's drowning, got him royal clothes, and the princess fell in love.
The cat visited an ogre's castle and challenged him.
I have further been told that you can also transform yourself into the smallest of animals... But I can scarcely believe that. I must admit to you that I think that that would be quite impossible.
The ogre became a mouse; the cat ate him. The marquis married the princess.
Detailed summary
Division into sections is editorial.
The inheritance and the cats proposal
A miller died, leaving his three sons a meager inheritance: the eldest received the mill, the second son got the donkey, and the youngest inherited only a cat. The poor young man despaired at his misfortune, lamenting to his brothers.
My brothers may make a handsome living by joining their shares together; but, for my part, after I have eaten up my cat, and made myself a muff from his skin, I must then die of hunger.
The cat overheard this conversation and approached his master with a grave demeanor, offering hope for their future prosperity.
The cats hunting and gifts to the king
Do not be so concerned, my good master. If you will but give me a bag, and have a pair of boots made for me... then you shall see that you are not so poorly off with me as you imagine.
Though skeptical, the young man provided the requested items, remembering the cat's cunning tricks in catching rats and mice. The cat donned his boots, took the bag, and went to a rabbit warren where he placed bran and greens as bait. Lying still as if dead, he waited for young rabbits to investigate. Soon a foolish young rabbit entered the bag, and the cat immediately caught and killed it. Proud of his success, he carried the rabbit to the royal palace and requested an audience with the king.
The cat presented the rabbit as a gift from his noble lord, the Master of Carabas. The king graciously accepted the present and expressed his pleasure. The cat continued this strategy for months, bringing various game including partridges to the king, who rewarded him with tips and grew fond of the generous gifts from the mysterious lord.
The bathing incident and meeting the princess
Learning that the king would drive along the riverside with his daughter, the cat devised a plan to secure his master's fortune. He instructed the young man to bathe in the river at a specific location. While his master bathed, the king's carriage approached, and the cat began crying for help.
Help! Help! My Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be drowned... some rogues had come by and stolen his clothes, even though he had cried out, 'Thieves! Thieves!' several times.
Recognizing the cat who had brought him so many gifts, the king immediately ordered his guards to rescue the Marquis of Carabas. The cunning cat had hidden his master's clothes under a stone. The king commanded his officers to fetch one of his finest suits for the rescued nobleman. Dressed in royal garments, the handsome young man made a striking impression.
The princess immediately fell in love with the Marquis of Carabas after he cast only a few respectful glances at her. The king invited him to join their carriage ride, delighted by this fortuitous encounter.
The deception about the lands and estates
The cat ran ahead of the royal carriage, encountering workers in the fields. He threatened the mowers and reapers with dire consequences if they did not claim their lands belonged to the Marquis of Carabas.
My good fellows, if you do not tell the king that the meadow you are mowing belongs to my Lord Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped up like mincemeat.
Frightened by the cat's threats, all the workers confirmed that their fields belonged to the Marquis of Carabas when questioned by the king. The king was impressed by the vast estates and congratulated the marquis on his fine harvests. The cat continued this deception throughout their journey, and the king grew increasingly astonished at the nobleman's apparent wealth and extensive properties.
Finally, the cat reached a magnificent castle owned by a wealthy ogre who possessed all the lands the king had just passed through.
The ogres defeat and the royal marriage
The cat politely requested an audience with the ogre, claiming he could not pass such a fine castle without paying respects. The ogre received him civilly, and the cat cleverly challenged the ogre's reputed ability to transform into any creature. The ogre proudly demonstrated by becoming a lion, terrifying the cat who leaped onto the roof. When the ogre resumed his normal form, the cat expressed doubt about transforming into small animals like mice. Insulted, the ogre immediately became a mouse, whereupon the cat pounced and devoured him.
When the king's carriage arrived at the castle, the cat welcomed them as guests of the Marquis of Carabas. Inside, they discovered a magnificent feast the ogre had prepared for friends. Charmed by the marquis and his vast wealth, and seeing his daughter's obvious love, the king offered his daughter in marriage. The marquis accepted gratefully, and they wed that very day. The cat became a great lord and never again chased mice except for entertainment.