A miller leaves his three sons only a mill, an ass, and a cat. The youngest son, feeling disadvantaged, is reassured by the cat, who promises to improve their fortunes if given boots and a bag. The cat cleverly catches rabbits and partridges, presenting them to the king as gifts from his master, the Marquis of Carabas. When the king passes by while the Marquis is bathing, the cat tricks the king into believing the Marquis is drowning, leading to the Marquis receiving fine clothes and the king's favor. The cat continues to deceive those they encounter, claiming lands and meadows belong to the Marquis, impressing the king with the supposed wealth of his master. Eventually, the cat confronts an ogre known for his riches. After tricking the ogre into transforming into a mouse, the cat eats him. The king, intrigued by the castle of the ogre, visits and learns it belongs to the Marquis. Enchanted by the Marquis and his newfound wealth, the king offers him his daughter’s hand in marriage. The Marquis accepts, and the cat becomes a noble, living a life of luxury, no longer chasing mice.
By Charles Perrault · First published 1697 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Fantasy