The Story
Once upon a time, a miller died and left his three sons his mill, his donkey, and his cat. The eldest got the mill, the middle son got the donkey, and the youngest got only the cat.
"What will I do with a cat?" the young man sighed. "I shall eat him and make a muff from his fur."
But the cat spoke up: "Do not eat me, dear master. Give me a bag and a pair of boots, and I will make your fortune." Surprised, the young man did as he was asked.
Puss put on his fine boots and went to the palace, bringing the king gifts of game from the field — always saying they came from "the Marquis of Carabas," which was the grand title he had invented for his master.
The king was delighted and intrigued. One day, Puss learned that the king would be driving by the river. He told his master to swim there. When the royal carriage passed, Puss cried that the Marquis of Carabas had been robbed of all his clothes while swimming! The king sent servants with fine garments at once and invited the young man to ride in his carriage.
Puss raced ahead to a great castle owned by a ferocious ogre who could transform into any creature. Puss knocked boldly: "Is it true you can turn into a lion?" The ogre roared and became a mighty lion. Puss trembled — then said slyly: "Impressive! But surely you cannot become something very small... like a mouse?" The ogre accepted the challenge and shrank into a mouse. Puss pounced and ate him.
When the king arrived at the castle, Puss bowed grandly: "Welcome to the castle of the Marquis of Carabas!" The king was so impressed he offered his daughter's hand in marriage. And so the miller's youngest son became a true marquis, and Puss in Boots became the grandest cat in the land.