A dying miller divides his estate among his three sons in such a way that the youngest inherits only a cat. Treated with disdain by his brothers, the poor young man accepts his fate until the cat convinces him that fortune can be made by proving cleverness. The cat obtains a pair of fine boots and promises to improve his master’s condition. Using his wit and resourcefulness, the cat sets out to secure wealth and status for his master by presenting a series of impressive gifts to the king—game caught and delivered as tokens of loyalty—and by creating the illusion that his master is a man of great property and noble birth. The cat’s elaborate schemes include instructing local workers to call their master “the Marquis of Carabas” and to behave as if he commanded a vast estate. Through cunning pretense and strategic manipulation of circumstances, he ensures that even the king is led to believe in his master’s elevated rank. When his master is discovered bathing by the side of a river, the cat orchestrates a situation where the king comes to his aid, providing him with a refined wardrobe and further cementing the illusion of nobility. In a later episode, the master’s journey brings him near the domain of a powerful ogre-wizard known for his shape-shifting abilities. The cat boldly enters the fortress, flattery and trickery in hand, and provokes the ogre to display his magical skills. When the ogre transforms himself into a variety of creatures, the cat exploits a moment of vulnerability to force the ogre into a change of shape that makes him susceptible to defeat. This act not only removes a dangerous rival but also further impresses the court and the king. In the end, the master’s newly acquired status and wealth pave the way for his marriage to the king’s daughter. Through the clever interventions of the cat, the formerly downtrodden son rises to nobility, overturning the injustice of his father’s will. Meanwhile, the cat is rewarded with comfort and care for a long life. Ultimately, the master reconciles with his estranged brothers by forgiving them, and he embarks on a prosperous life, his fortunes forged by the extraordinary resourcefulness of his feline companion.
By Tom Hood · First published 1865 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure