Perrault- The Master Cat

The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots
by: Charles Perrault
1697

and
Sleeping Beauty
Cinderella or Little Glass Slipper
The Fairies

"The cat became a great lord, and never again ran after mice, except for entertainment."

The story of Puss in Boots, which is the name I recognized it by, is much more cleaver an detailed than I once remembered. The story starts with a Fathers passing, and his only inheritance to his children is his Mill, his donkey, and his cat. So his three sons split it up, the and the youngest ends up with the cat. So the son complains that after he has eat the cat he will surely starve and die. Once the cat hears this, is sad that his master thinks this is his only worth. So the cat requests a bag and a pair of boots, and in exchange promises that his Master will never go hungry.
The Cat soon catches a Rabbit, and brings it to the King, and displays it as a gift from his Master. He continues with this giving different gifts to the king, over a three month time period. One day he know the king is out with his daughter, who happens to be the most beautiful princess in the world. The Cat tricks the King into believing his master is drowning, and the King saves his. After all the gifts the King is very impressed with the young man. The cat tricks the King several more ways so that he believes his master owns lots of land and a big Castle. Where a Big Ogre lives. The Cat needs to get rid of him, so he also tricks the Ogre into turning himself into a mouse, and then processes to eat him. The Cats Master and Princess lived happily ever after, and so did the Master Cat.

Recommended to: Both girls and boys. Middle-school aged.
Problems: This could teach that it is okay to lie, and cheat, and even kill to get what you want and be successful in life.
My Reaction: This is such a fun story, I love the imagery of a Cat wearing high boots. I also like that the cat is so cleaver he never catches things for his own master, but brings them straight to the king. Planning someday to never have to work again.