PUSS IN BOOTS

MILLER left all he had to his three
sons. To the eldest he gave the mill ;
to the second he gave the ass; to the
third the cat.

Very sad was the youngest over
what fell to him. The two eldest
were not kind, they managed very
well together. The first ground the corn into
flour, and the second took it about in sacks on the
ass and sold it. But the third could do nothing
with the cat but keep the mill clear of rats and
mice. One day he said: ‘I am very much alone
and very poor in the world, and I live on the
charity of my brothers. They will soon turn me
out, and then I shall die of hunger and cold, when-
ever my cat has devoured the last mouse.’ The
cat heard him, came and rubbed himself against
his legs, and said: ‘Do not be troubled, dear
master. Have a pair of boots made for me, and
give me a sack, and you will soon see that you are
better off with me than are your brothers with the

mill and the ass.’

The young man had got a piece of gold in his

pocket; it was all the money he had. He spent

that in getting a pair of very handsome boots for
his cat, and he also got a sack, as puss required.

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