Puss in Boots by Dinah Mulock (1899)
A miller divides his meager possessions among his three sons, leaving the youngest with only a cat. Discontented, the son is surprised when the cat speaks, promising to improve their fortunes if given boots and a sack. The cat cleverly catches rabbits and partridges, presenting them to the king as gifts from his master, the fictitious Marquis of Carabas. When the king plans a river outing, the cat instructs the miller's son to bathe, then tricks the king into believing the young man is the marquis, saving him from drowning. The cat continues to deceive the king, claiming vast lands belong to the marquis by intimidating peasants and reapers into compliance. Eventually, the cat confronts an ogre who can transform into any beast. The cat cleverly provokes the ogre to turn into a mouse, which he promptly eats. When the king arrives at the ogre's castle, the cat welcomes him, further solidifying the marquis's status. The king, impressed, offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to the miller's son, who accepts. They marry and take over the ogre's castle, while the cat enjoys a life of luxury, no longer needing to chase mice.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1899 · Genre: Children's literature, Folklore, Fantasy · 2,399 words
First lines
A Miller, dying, divided all his property between his three children. This was a very simple matter, as he had nothing to leave but his mill, his ass, and his cat; so he made no will, and called in no lawyer, who would, probably, have taken a large slice out of these poor possessions. The eldest son took the mill, the second the ass, while the third was obliged to content himself with the cat, at which he grumbled very much. "My brothers," said he, "by putting their property together, may gain an honest livelihood, but there is nothing left for me except to die of hunger; unless, indeed, I were to kill my cat and eat him, and make a coat out of his skin, which would be very scanty clothing."
What this Textopian page supports
Puss in Boots is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Folklore, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 2,399 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Puss in Boots by Dinah Mulock
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Puss in Boots?
- How does this short story by Dinah Mulock fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Adventures Of Puss In Boots by David Cory
- Little Thumb by Charles Perrault
- The Master Cat Or Puss In Boots by Charles Perrault
- Hop O My Thumb by Dinah Mulock
- The White Cat by Dinah Mulock
- The White Cat by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Children's literature — The book is simplified for children and present moral lessons, typical of children's literature.
- Folklore — The story of Puss in Boots is deeply rooted in European folktales and has been passed along through many generations.
- Fantasy — The book includes several fantasy elements, such as talking animals and magic.
- Adventure — The protagonist, Puss, embarks on a journey to change the fortune of his master, constituting an adventure story.
Tags
fairy tale · cat · adventure · cleverness · trickery · loyalty · friendship · magic · humor · fantasy · animals · kingdom