Once upon a time, there was a miller who had three sons. When the miller died, he left his possessions to his sons. The oldest son received the mill. The middle son got the donkey. The youngest son only received a cat. He was very sad. 'What can I do with just a cat?' the young man asked himself. But the cat was no ordinary cat. He could talk and think like a human. 'Master, do not worry,' said the cat. 'Give me a pair of boots and a bag.' The young man was surprised, but he gave the cat what he asked for. The cat put on the boots and looked very handsome. He took the bag and went to the forest to catch rabbits. The cat was very clever. He put carrots in the bag and waited. Soon, a fat rabbit jumped into the bag to eat the carrots. The cat quickly closed the bag and caught the rabbit. The cat went to the king's palace with the rabbit. 'Your Majesty,' said the cat with a bow. 'My master, the Marquis of Carabas, sends you this gift.' The king had never heard of the Marquis of Carabas. The cat had invented the name. But the king was pleased with the gift and thanked the cat. The cat continued bringing gifts to the king for many weeks. One day, the cat learned that the king would take a carriage ride by the river. The king's beautiful daughter would be with him. 'Master, go to the river and take off your clothes,' the cat told the young man. 'Trust me,' said the cat. The young man did as the cat asked. The cat hid the young man's old clothes under a rock. When the king's carriage came near, the cat started shouting. 'Help! Help! The Marquis of Carabas is drowning!' The king recognized the cat and stopped the carriage immediately. 'Save the Marquis!' ordered the king. His servants pulled the young man from the water. The cat explained that thieves had stolen the Marquis's fine clothes. The king felt sorry for the Marquis. He sent a servant to bring royal clothes. The young man looked very handsome in the royal clothes. The princess looked at him and immediately fell in love. 'Please join us in our carriage,' the king invited the young man. While they traveled, the cat ran ahead to a field where farmers were working. 'When the king asks who owns this land, say it belongs to the Marquis of Carabas,' commanded the cat. The farmers were afraid of the clever cat and agreed to obey. When the king's carriage passed, he asked the farmers about the land. 'This land belongs to the Marquis of Carabas,' they answered. The king was impressed. 'You have beautiful land, Marquis,' he said. The cat ran ahead again to a great castle. This castle belonged to a powerful ogre who could change his shape. The cat walked bravely into the castle and bowed to the ogre. 'I have heard that you can change into any animal,' said the cat. 'Is it true that you can become a lion?' The ogre wanted to show off. He transformed into a huge lion. The cat pretended to be frightened and ran away to a corner. 'That is amazing!' said the cat. 'But can you become something small, like a mouse?' The foolish ogre transformed into a tiny mouse. The cat immediately jumped on the mouse and ate it. Now the castle belonged to the cat's master. When the king's carriage arrived at the castle, the cat was waiting at the door. 'Welcome to the castle of the Marquis of Carabas!' announced the cat. The king was amazed by the magnificent castle. 'Marquis, you must marry my daughter!' said the king. The young man looked at the beautiful princess. She smiled at him. 'I would be honored, Your Majesty,' he replied happily. The wedding was celebrated that very day in the castle. The miller's son became a prince, and Puss in Boots became a great lord. The cat never had to catch mice again, except for fun. And they all lived happily ever after.
English Story (A2)Puss in Boots
This A2 English story is designed for elementarys learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
A poor miller's son inherits only a clever talking cat. The cat asks for boots and a bag, then begins a plan to make his master rich. He catches rabbits and brings them as gifts to the king, claiming they are from the Marquis of Carabas - a noble title he invented. When the king passes by the river, the cat tricks him into giving the young man royal clothes. The cat runs ahead, making farmers claim the land belongs to the Marquis. Finally, the cat outsmarts an ogre who can change shape, tricking him into becoming a mouse and eating him. The young man marries the princess and becomes a prince, while Puss in Boots becomes a great lord.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did the youngest son receive when his father died?
2
What name did the cat invent for his master?
3
How did the cat defeat the ogre?
4
What happened at the end of the story?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
