PUSS IN ments, that you can transform yourself into any
BOOTS shape you like. But this may be merely idle
gossip, not based on any foundation of truth. For
myself I never believe half the tittle-tattle I hear.’
‘But it is really true,’ said the ogre.
The cat smiled incredulously.
‘I will at once show you my power,’ said the ogre;
and in a moment transformed himself into a lion.
The cat was so frightened that he made a bolt
out of the window and ran up the water-pipes and
did not rest till he was on the roof. This was
difficult for him, because he wore boots, and boots
re calculated for a high-road, and not for scram-
ling.
After some time, he plucked up courage to de-
scend.
‘What do you think of my power now?’ asked
the ogre, who had resumed his former shape.
‘I think that your power is great,’ answered the
cat, ‘yet hardly all that I should have thought
had I given belief to what is said.’
‘How so?’ asked the ogre.
‘I heard, for instance, on my way here, that you
were a great bear.’
‘I can make myself that in a moment,’ answered
the ogre.
‘I am sure you are that already,’ answered the
cat courteously. ‘Others said you were an awful
bore—or boar—I did not ask them to spell the
word.’
‘IT can transform myself into that instantly.’
‘I am certain you need no transformation to be
that most completely,’ said the cat, with a bow.
‘T also heard that you were in reality quite insig-
nificant as a personage, and a nobody. Now, any
fool can puff himself up into something greater
than himself, but it takes a wise man to make
himself appear less than he really is—Can you do
that?’
20