少兒英語故事：穿靴子的貓（上）

Once there was a poor miller who only owned three things, a donkey, a cat and a mill. He could grind meal with the mill. He could carry bags of meal to the market with his donkey. But, the cat, well, he couldn’t do anything with the cat except catch mice.

The miller also had three sons. The oldest son was very strong. The second son was very smart. And, the youngest son was only handsome.

When the old miller finally died he left all he had to his sons. To his oldest son he left the mill. The oldest son worked the mill and earned a living. The miller left his donkey to his second son.

The second son took the donkey and set out in search of his fortune. But, for the youngest son there was only the cat.

The youngest son was very fond of the cat, but he did not know what to do with him. I am going to starve. I will surely die with only this cat.

Just then, the cat began to laugh. Why are you laughing at me? Well, I was just thinking that if you are hungry and worried about starving, why don’t you cook me and eat me? You could use my fur to keep warm during the cold winter.

I would never do that to you, puss! Anyway, if you were not here, then I could be all alone.

Then what would I do? If you will buy me a brown bag and a pair of leather boots, you will see that I am worth more than a mill or an old donkey.

A brown bag and leather boots? How will that ever help me? After you give me these things, I will show you how valuable I am. You are a crazy cat, but, you never know.

Why not? So, the youngest son made up his mind to give the cat a chance. The cat looked so amazing in his new leather boots that the young master decided he must also buy him a hat and a cape as well.

I can not call you just plain puss any more. From now on, you will be puss-in-boots. And I have a new name for you too, young master. From now on, you will be the Marquis of Caracas because I have great plans for you.

Chapter 2

So that night, Puss-in-boots went into the open field to begin working on his great plans. He started by filling his bag with a little delicious bran and sow thistle to attract young rabbits. He left his bag in the middle of the field and pretended to be dead.

After a while, a family of young rabbits came hopping by, too young and inexperienced to understand the ways of the world.

One of the bunnies noticed the smell of the cat’s sack and decided to find out what was inside.Without thinking, he jumped into the open bag. Ha! You will make a delicious meal for the king.

With the rabbit in his bag, puss-in-boots began walking to the king’s castle. Before long, he stood before the king of the land. Sir, I have a delicious rabbit here for you. It is a gift from the noble lord, the marquis of Casabas. Please thank your master for his kindness.

The next day, puss-in-boots went hunting, and this time he was able to catch a large, plump partridge. Once again, puss-in-boots took his catch to the king of the land. My, my! Another gift from the marquis of Casabas? My master knows how much you enjoy a fine meal.

He only wants to please and serve you. Here, I will show your master that I am grateful. Please take this bag to him as a gift from the king.

As time went by, the cat gave more and more gifts to the king. And the king gave many gifts to the marquis of Casabas. Soon the cat and the king became very good friends.

Chapter 3

Then one day, puss-in-boots decided it was time for his master to meet the king’s daughter. She was the most beautiful princess in the entire world.

He found out that the king would be taking his daughter for a carriage ride the very next day on the road by the river. He had no time to waste. Puss-in-boots ran back to come up with a plan. Early the next morning, Hurry master.

You must come with me and bathe in the river by the road. What? Why should I bathe in the river? Just do as I tell you and you will be very lucky! Take off your clothes and get into the water quickly. But it’s cold, and I don’t know how to swim. Trust me.

So, the youngest son did as the cat said. Now, I have to hide these clothes and hope he will never have to wear them again.

Puss! Puss! Where are my clothes? Just then, the king’s carriage came into view. Puss! Puss! My clothes! Be quiet, or you will ruin everything!

Listen to what I say. I will do all the talking, okay? Help! My lord, the marquis of casabas, is drowning! Guards! Hurry! Help that man! My generous friend, the marquis of casabas, must not drown! So the guards of the king ran to the rescue of the poor miller’s son and saved him just in time.

Bring a robe to cover the marquis! He is shivering with a cold.

What has happened to the marquis, and where are his clothes? A terrible thing has happened, your majesty. His clothes have all been stolen. We were riding along the riverside so peacefully。

Suddenly, a bank of villains with weapons jumped out at us from behind some rocks and attacked us. The thieves stole everything he had and would have killed him too, but fortunately the marquis escaped and jumped into the river.Unfortunately though, my master doesn’t know how to swim.
 

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