WILLOW TREE INN
by David Cory
Adapted Version
One dark night, Puss found an inn. A big sign hung above the door. It said "Willow Tree Inn." Puss was small but brave. He was Puss in Boots, Junior! Puss wore tall, shiny boots. He had a big, soft hat.
Puss stood at the big door. He was a small cat. He wanted to knock. The door knocker was too high. Puss saw a flower pot. He stood on the pot. Puss knocked two times. The sound was loud.
The Innkeeper was asleep. He was fast asleep. He heard a knock. The knock woke him up. He looked out the window. "Who is there?" he asked. "It is Puss," said Puss. "Puss is here."
The Innkeeper opened the door. He held a bright candle. The candle glowed warm. It made a nice light. "You have a Horse," he said. "Come inside now." "I will show its bed." "The Horse can rest."
A big gust of wind blew. The wind was strong. It made a loud whoosh. Poof! The candle went out. Now it was very dark. There was no light.
The Innkeeper felt lost. He could not see. "Do not worry," said Puss. "Cats see in the dark. I can see the way. Follow me now."
They walked to the barn. The barn was very big. A Bat flew very fast. The Bat was quick. It hit Puss's hat. Puss looked up. The hat fell down. It fell to the ground.
The Innkeeper smiled big. He picked up the hat. He thought it was funny. He said a funny rhyme. "Bat, bat, come to my hat. I will give you food. I will give you cake."
"That sounds very good," said Puss. "I am very hungry. My tummy is empty. I did not eat yet. It is almost morning. I need food soon. Can I eat too?"
"Yes, you are hungry," said the Innkeeper. "The Horse needs food too. Your Horse will eat oats. Good oats for the Horse. Then we will go inside. You need warm food. We will eat warm bacon. It will be yummy."
"What about the cake?" asked Puss. He remembered the rhyme. "Please give me cake too. I love sweet cake. Cake sounds so good."
The Innkeeper closed the door. He pushed the bolt shut. He smiled at Puss. "I like you more," he said. "You are a good cat. The Bat is too fast!"
"Come inside now," he said. He opened the inn door. They went to the kitchen. The Willow Tree Inn was warm. It smelled so good. Puss felt very happy. He was safe and warm.
Original Story
WILLOW TREE INN
THE moonlight shone brightly on the sign of the Willow Tree Inn as Puss reached up for the big brass knocker. But he wasn't tall enough, so he stood on an empty flower pot and rapped twice on the door.
"Who's there?" asked the innkeeper, poking his head out of the window.
"Puss in Boots, Junior."
"Very well, Master Boots," said the innkeeper. "Rest on the porch till I put on my boots." And pretty soon the door opened and the sleepy innkeeper appeared with a lighted candle in his hand. "Ah, you have a horse," he said. "Come, I will show you the way to the stable."
"Bad luck," cried the innkeeper, as a gust of wind blew out the candle. "The moon is behind a cloud. 'Tis dark. Can you make your way?"
"Never fear," replied Puss. "A cat can see in the dark."
But, goodness me! just as they reached the barn a bat knocked off Puss, Junior's, hat.
"Bat, bat, come under my hat And I'll give you a slice of bacon, And when I bake I'll give you a cake, If I am not mistaken,"
cried the innkeeper.
"That sounds mighty good to me," said Puss, Junior. "I've had no supper yet, and it's nearly morning."
"So it is," answered the innkeeper. "Well, we'll give your Good Gray Horse a mess of oats and some hay. After that we'll go back to the inn and cook a slice of bacon."
"And when you bake please give me a cake, or I'll be much disappointed," cried Puss.
"I'd rather give it to you than to that old bat," said the innkeeper, closing the stable door and pushing in the bolt. "Of course, he catches lots of mice, but at the same time I don't like him."
"So you like me better?" said Puss.
"Well, we'll wait and see," said the innkeeper. "In the meantime, come in." And he opened the door and led Puss into the kitchen.
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Characters
Puss in Boots, Junior ★ protagonist
A nimble and agile cat, smaller than a typical adult human, with a sleek build. His fur is likely a rich, deep orange or tabby, given the 'Puss in Boots' lineage, though not explicitly stated. He is quick and light on his feet.
Attire: Wears a pair of small, well-fitting boots, likely made of soft leather, and a distinctive hat. The hat is a key accessory, suggesting a cavalier or adventurer style, possibly with a feather.
Wants: To find shelter, food, and rest for himself and his horse after a journey. He is driven by basic needs and a desire for comfort.
Flaw: His small stature can be a disadvantage, requiring him to find creative solutions (like standing on a flower pot). He is also easily distracted by the promise of food.
He arrives seeking basic necessities and successfully secures them through his wit and the innkeeper's hospitality. He establishes a new relationship.
Polite, resourceful, hungry, and a bit cheeky. He is quick-witted and able to adapt to situations, such as seeing in the dark. He is also persistent in his desire for food.
The Innkeeper ◆ supporting
A man of average height and build, likely a bit disheveled from being woken up. He is probably sturdy, accustomed to the physical demands of running an inn.
Attire: Simple, practical nightclothes or a hastily donned tunic and trousers, appropriate for a working man in a rural inn setting. His boots are mentioned, suggesting sturdy, well-worn footwear.
Wants: To fulfill his duties as an innkeeper, providing shelter and food to travelers, even if it means being woken up late at night. He also seems to enjoy conversation.
Flaw: Superstitious beliefs and a tendency to complain about minor inconveniences (like the bat).
He is initially reluctant to be disturbed but warms to Puss, Junior, and fulfills his role as a hospitable innkeeper, establishing a friendly rapport.
Grumpy when first woken, but ultimately kind, hospitable, and superstitious (regarding the candle blowing out). He is also a bit talkative and has strong opinions (disliking the bat).
Good Gray Horse ○ minor
A horse with a coat of a good, solid gray color. Implied to be sturdy and reliable, having carried Puss, Junior, on his journey.
Attire: Likely wears a bridle and saddle, appropriate for travel, though not explicitly described.
Wants: To rest and be fed after a journey.
Flaw: None shown, typical animal needs.
Arrives tired, receives oats and hay, and rests.
Patient, reliable, and docile. He is a loyal companion.
The Bat ○ minor
A small, winged mammal, likely dark-colored, with a quick and erratic flight pattern.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: Likely hunting for food (mice) or simply flying about its nocturnal business.
Flaw: None shown, but it is disliked by the innkeeper.
Briefly appears, causes a minor incident, and then disappears.
Mischievous or simply clumsy, as it accidentally knocks off Puss, Junior's, hat. It is also a hunter of mice.
Locations
Willow Tree Inn Porch
A rustic inn porch, likely made of weathered wood, with a prominent sign depicting a willow tree. The moonlight illuminates the scene, but later clouds obscure it, making it dark.
Mood: Quiet, slightly mysterious, then a bit disorienting due to darkness
Puss in Boots, Junior, arrives and attempts to knock on the door, then waits for the innkeeper.
Inn Stable
A dark, functional stable, likely constructed of timber, where horses are kept. It has a door with a bolt.
Mood: Functional, slightly eerie due to the darkness and the bat encounter
Puss's horse is settled, and a bat knocks off Puss's hat, leading to a brief exchange with the innkeeper.
Inn Kitchen
A warm, inviting kitchen within the inn, where food is prepared. It is implied to have a stove or hearth for cooking bacon and baking cakes.
Mood: Warm, welcoming, comforting, with the promise of food
Puss is led into the kitchen to await his supper and breakfast.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Puss in Boots, Junior, arrives at the Willow Tree Inn late at night and, after some difficulty, is admitted by the sleepy innkeeper. On the way to the stable, the innkeeper's candle blows out, but Puss assures him of his night vision. A bat then knocks off Puss's hat, prompting a strange rhyme from the innkeeper. Puss, hungry, is promised bacon and cake, and the innkeeper expresses his preference for Puss over the bat before leading him into the inn's kitchen for a meal.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to comfort
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is a continuation of the 'Puss in Boots' character, implying a lineage or successor, which is a common trope in children's literature.
Plot Beats (12)
- Puss in Boots, Junior, arrives at the Willow Tree Inn at night and struggles to knock on the door.
- The innkeeper, woken by the knocking, asks who is there and Puss identifies himself.
- The innkeeper lets Puss in and offers to show him to the stable for his horse.
- A gust of wind blows out the innkeeper's candle, leaving them in darkness.
- Puss reassures the innkeeper that cats can see in the dark.
- As they reach the barn, a bat knocks off Puss's hat.
- The innkeeper recites a rhyme about the bat, offering it bacon and cake.
- Puss expresses his hunger, reminding the innkeeper he hasn't eaten.
- The innkeeper promises to feed Puss's horse and then cook bacon for Puss.
- Puss reminds the innkeeper about the promised cake.
- The innkeeper closes the stable, expressing his dislike for the bat despite its usefulness, and a preference for Puss.
- The innkeeper invites Puss inside, leading him to the kitchen.
