Once upon a time, there was a miller who had three sons. Just before he died, the miller wrote a will so there would be no confusion over where he wished his possessions to go.
The oldest son received the mill, so he could continue his father’s work. The middle son received all the horses and animals, so he could start a farm of his own. The youngest son, who was named John, inherited his father’s cat.
At first, John felt snubbed by the inheritance. He loved his father very much and had always been good to him. John didn’t understand why his father would leave his brothers so much and him so little.
What John didn’t know yet was that the cat happened to be his father’s most prized possession. He knew John and the cat would accomplish great things together.
The cat in question was named Puss. He was a brown tabby with green eyes and black stripes. He was a conniving little fellow and by far the smartest cat in the land.
“Looks like I’m stuck with you, kitty,” John said with a sigh.
“I’m not thrilled about this either,” Puss said. “After all the mice I caught and the snuggles I gave your father, I can’t believe he left me with you.”
“You can talk?” John said.
“I’ve always talked, you’ve just never listened,” Puss said. “Now listen to this: Your father obviously put us together for a reason. We might as well make the most of it. I’ve put together a plan that will make us rich!”
The cat definitely had John’s attention. “What’s your plan?”
“Part of my plan is never speaking of my plan,” the cat said. “But I will need your absolute trust and cooperation if it’s going to work.”
John didn’t have anything better to do, and he figured any plan was better than no plan at all.
“I’m here for whatever you need,” he said.
“Good,” Puss said. “First, I will need you to take me into town to purchase a new wardrobe. I must look my best for the first step of the plan.”
John and Puss went into town and shopped at the fanciest stores in the village. Puss purchased tall leather boots, a smart feathered hat, and a long silver sword. It cost John every penny he had.
“Are you positive you need such fancy things?” John said. “There are plenty of cheaper options.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to spend what you’re looking to earn,” Puss said. “Besides, I will need to look presentable for the king.”
“The king?” John said. “You didn’t tell me your plan involved the king!”
“That’s because you never asked,” the cat said. “Now we must gather some carrots and go into the woods.”
They stole carrots from a farmer’s garden and then traveled into the forest. They laid the carrots out on the ground and waited behind a tree.
“What are we doing?” John asked.
“Step two, hunting,” Puss replied.
Just then, a plump rabbit climbed out from its hole in the ground and began eating the carrots. Puss snuck up behind it and snapped its neck.
The following day, Puss traveled to the king’s castle wearing his new clothes. A talking cat in high boots and a hat was such an odd sight, none of the king’s men stopped him from going inside. Puss walked right into the throne room and laid the rabbit down at the king’s feet.
“A gift for His Majesty, from my master,” the cat said and bowed.
The king was just as surprised as anyone to see him.
“You can talk?” he said.
“Of course I can talk,” Puss said. “I imagine His Majesty is so magnificent, most animals are speechless around him.”
This answer pleased the king greatly, and he smiled down at the charming cat.
“Who did you say this was from?” the king asked.
“My master, the great Marquis of Carabas,” Puss said. “Your Majesty is so well traveled, I’m positive you know him.”
The king did not recall such a man, but he pretended to be familiar with him so he wasn’t embarrassed in front of his court. Besides, he had met so many people throughout the kingdom, it was possible they were acquainted.
“Of course, the Marquis of Carabas,” the king said. “Please thank your master kindly for me.”
Puss bowed again and left the castle. With step three of his plan a success, he immediately went on to step four.
Every Sunday afternoon, the king enjoyed a carriage ride through the kingdom with his daughter, the princess. Puss was fully aware of this and planned to take advantage of the king’s routine. He took John to a lake on the edge of the road he knew the king’s carriage would travel down.
“Now take off all your clothes and get in the lake,” Puss said.
“Do what?” John said. “How on earth is that going to help us get rich?”
“We don’t have time to argue; the king is on his way!” Puss said. “Quickly, undress and get into the lake.”
John was starting to think that following the cat’s plan was a terrible idea. He stripped down until he was naked and then hopped into the freezing water of the lake. Puss stashed his clothes behind a large boulder so they were out of sight.
“Now throw yourself around in the water as if you’re drowning,” Puss said.
“But the water isn’t even that deep—”
“Just do it!”
Against his better judgment, John threw himself about in the water as if he were in distress.