Puss in Boots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Puss in Boots" |
|
|---|---|
Manuscript page
|
|
| Author | Charles Perrault |
| Translator | Charles Samber (first trans.) |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Characters | Puss in Boots Miller's Son King Princess Ogre |
| Genre(s) | Literary fairy tale |
| Published in | Stories or Tales of Times Past |
| Publication type | Fairy tale collection |
| Publisher | Claude Barbin |
| Media type | |
| Publication date | 1697 |
Puss in Boots is a famous fairy tale. It was written by Charles Perrault. This story is about a clever cat. The cat uses smart tricks and even some lies to help his owner. He helps his owner gain power, money, and marry a princess.
The story first appeared in a handwritten book in 1695. It was one of five tales by Perrault in that book. It was later published in Paris in 1697. This happened in a collection called Histoires ou contes du temps passé (which means Stories or Tales of Past Times). This book was very successful.
Other similar stories existed before Perrault's version. One tale by Gianfrancesco Straparola was in his book Le piacevoli notti (The Pleasant Nights). This book came out between 1550 and 1555. Another similar story was by Giambattista Basile in his book Pentamerone (1634). Straparola's story was published in France in 1560. It might have given Perrault some ideas. Basile's book was not published in France when Perrault was alive. So, Perrault probably did not know Basile's tale.
Contents
The Story of Puss in Boots
The story begins when a miller dies. He leaves a cat to his youngest son. The son is not happy with this small inheritance. But the cat is no ordinary pet.
The Cat's Clever Plan
The cat asks his new owner for a pair of boots. He also asks for a bag. The cat promises the boy he will make his fortune. The boy is surprised but agrees.
Meeting the King
The cat puts on his boots and goes hunting. He catches wild game, like rabbits and partridges. He then takes these animals to the king. The cat tells the king that these gifts are from his master, the "Marquis of Carabas." The king is pleased with these gifts. The cat does this many times, making friends with the king.
A Royal Encounter
One day, the cat tells his master to go for a swim in the river. He tells him to pretend to be drowning. The king's carriage happens to pass by. The cat cries for help, saying his master, the Marquis, is drowning. The king rescues the boy. The cat also tells the king that robbers stole his master's clothes. The king gives the boy fine clothes from his own wardrobe.
Love at First Sight
The king's daughter sees the boy in his new, fancy clothes. She thinks he is very handsome. She falls in love with him right away. The king invites the boy to ride with them in the carriage.
Taking Over a Castle
As they travel, the cat runs ahead. He tells farmers along the way to say that all the land belongs to the "Marquis of Carabas." The king is impressed by how much land the "Marquis" owns.
The cat then arrives at a castle. This castle belongs to a powerful ogre. The ogre can change his shape into any animal. The cat tricks the ogre into turning into a mouse. The cat then quickly pounces on the mouse and eats him. This way, the cat takes over the castle for his master.
A Happy Ending
When the king and his daughter arrive, they are amazed by the beautiful castle. The cat welcomes them, saying it belongs to his master. The boy marries the king's daughter. He becomes a prince and lives happily ever after, all thanks to his clever cat.
Images for kids
-
Puss meets the ogre in a nineteenth-century illustration by Gustave Doré
-
Handwritten and illustrated manuscript of Perrault's "Le Maître Chat" dated 1695
-
Giovanni Francesco Straparola is known as the writer of the oldest version of the tale. He probably invented the original story.
-
Detail of a portrait of Charles Perrault by Philippe Lallemand
-
Woodcut frontispiece copied from the 1697 Paris edition of Perrault's tales and published in the English-speaking world.
-
An early nineteenth-century engraving of Perrault surrounded by vignettes from Histoires ou contes du temps passé
See also
In Spanish: El Gato con Botas para niños
