PUSS HELPS A LITTLE BOY WHO IS IN TROUBLE
by David Cory
Adapted Version
Puss, Jr. rode his horse into a small town. His horse went clip-clop, clip-clop. Puss, Jr. saw a little boy. The boy stood by a pony. The boy looked very, very sad.
The Little Boy sang a sad song. He sang about his pony. His pony was very, very muddy. Puss, Jr. heard the sad song. Puss, Jr. felt a little sad too.
The Little Boy looked at Puss, Jr. His eyes were blue. Big tears were in his eyes. "A lady used my pony," he said. "She was not kind to it. My pony is very dirty." It was covered in brown mud.
The Little Boy was very, very sad. He said, "My father will be angry. I cannot wash the pony. I am too small." He cried big tears.
Puss, Jr. looked at the pony. He said, "Do not worry. We can wash your pony now. We will go to the river. The river will make it clean."
Puss, Jr. tied Puss, Jr.'s Horse. He led The Little Pony. The Little Boy walked with them. They went to the river. They walked to the river bank then.
"Do you want to ride?" asked Puss, Jr. The Little Boy said, "No." "I am afraid," he said. Puss, Jr. was brave. He got on The Little Pony then.
Puss, Jr. rode the pony into the water. The water was not deep. He splashed the water. He rubbed the pony hard. He washed all the mud off. The mud went away. The pony got clean.
The Little Pony was very clean. It felt happy now. It made a happy sound. It kicked its back legs. The pony felt very happy.
The Little Boy smiled big. He said, "Thank you, Puss, Jr.! My pony looks so good." It looks better now. He was very happy.
Puss, Jr. said goodbye. He got on Puss, Jr.'s Horse. He had a long trip. Puss, Jr. rode away then. He was a kind helper.
Original Story
PUSS HELPS A LITTLE BOY WHO IS IN TROUBLE
THE town of Banbury Cross was very pretty, situated at the corner of two cross-roads, close to a sparkling river over which ran a bridge. As Puss, Jr., on his good gray horse, whose feet went rackety-rackety, rackety-tak over the broad planking, drew rein at the farther end a small boy, who stood by the side of a pretty little pony, began to sing:
"I had a little pony, His name was Dapple-gray, I lent him to a lady To ride a mile away. She whipped him, she lashed him, She rode him through the mire; I would not lend my pony now, For all the lady's hire."
"Neither would I," said Puss.
The little boy opened his eyes very wide. They were blue as the skies overhead and were full of tears. "She whipped him, she lashed him," continued the boy. "I'll never again lend my pony to anybody."
"I wouldn't lend my good gray horse," said Puss, "for one never knows whether a person is kind to animals or not."
"I never thought a lady would hurt my pony," sobbed the boy. "Just look at him. He's all covered with mud."
"So he is," said Puss, consolingly; "but never mind. A good washing will fix him up."
"But my father will be angry," said the boy. "He doesn't like to wash my pony, and I'm too little."
"Let's take your pony down to the riverbank," Puss suggested. "We'll find a shallow spot and wash him off. Perhaps we can ride him a little way into the water; that would help." Tying his good gray horse to a post near by, Puss led the pony down the bank to the river, the little boy following.
"Do you want to ride him in," asked Puss, "or shall I?"
"You do it," said the little boy. "I'm afraid."
So Puss jumped on the pony's back and gently urged him into the river. After going out some distance he stopped, for the water was almost up to his boots. "I guess I can wash him now," cried Puss, and, leaning over, first on one side and then on the other, he splashed up the water and scrubbed off the mud and dirt until the pony was as clean as a whistle.
"Now," exclaimed Puss, "he looks like himself again." The pony seemed quite relieved also, for after gaining the bank he neighed and kicked up his heels in a delighted manner.
"He looks better than ever," said the little boy. "He was really quite dusty before I lent him to the lady."
"Yes, he's in fine shape," said Puss. "I must now leave you, for I am on a long journey."
"Thank you," said the boy. "A pleasant journey to you, my good Sir Cat."
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How our little hero, Puss in Boots, Jr., at last finds his famous father, Puss in Boots, at the castle of my Lord of Carabas, will be told in *Further Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.*
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THE END
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Moral of the Story
It is important to be kind to animals and to help those in need.
Characters
Puss, Jr. ★ protagonist
A bipedal cat, likely of average human height, with a lean and agile build. His movements are graceful and confident, befitting a traveler and helper.
Attire: A finely tailored, perhaps dark blue or forest green, velvet coat with brass buttons, a crisp white ruffled shirt underneath, and knee-high leather boots. He wears a wide-brimmed, plumed hat, possibly made of felt, in a matching color to his coat. His attire suggests a gentleman adventurer of the 17th or 18th century European style.
Wants: To help those in need and to embark on his own adventures, eventually seeking his famous father.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a youthful naivete or over-eagerness to prove himself, given he is 'Jr.'
In this snippet, he demonstrates his heroic qualities and helpful nature, setting the stage for his future adventures and growth into a hero like his father.
Kind, helpful, observant, empathetic, and responsible. He shows genuine concern for the boy and his pony.
The Little Boy ◆ supporting
A small, slender boy, typical of a child around 6-8 years old. His size makes him unable to wash his pony effectively.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a child in a rural English town, likely of the 17th or 18th century. Perhaps a plain linen tunic or shirt, knee-length breeches, and sturdy leather shoes or wooden clogs. Colors would be muted, like browns, greens, or creams.
Wants: To see his pony clean and well again, and to avoid his father's anger.
Flaw: His small size and fear prevent him from solving his problem independently.
He learns that not everyone is kind and that it's okay to ask for help. He moves from distress to relief and gratitude.
Sensitive, easily distressed, honest, and grateful. He is deeply attached to his pony and upset by its mistreatment.
Dapple-gray ○ minor
A small, sturdy pony, likely a native British breed, with a distinctive dapple-gray coat. Initially covered in mud, later clean and spirited.
Attire: A simple bridle and saddle, appropriate for a child's riding pony, likely made of worn leather.
Wants: To be clean and comfortable.
Flaw: Vulnerable to mistreatment by others.
Goes from being dirty and dejected to clean and spirited, thanks to Puss, Jr.'s help.
Gentle, resilient, and expressive. It shows distress when dirty and delight when clean.
Good Gray Horse ○ minor
A strong, reliable gray horse, likely a riding horse suitable for a traveler. Its hooves make a distinctive 'rackety-rackety' sound.
Attire: A sturdy saddle and bridle, befitting a long journey.
Wants: To carry its master on his journey.
Flaw: None shown.
Remains a steadfast companion.
Loyal and dependable.
Locations
Banbury Cross Crossroads and Bridge
A very pretty town situated at the corner of two crossroads, close to a sparkling river. A broad planking bridge spans the river.
Mood: Charming, picturesque, a typical English countryside setting.
Puss Jr. arrives in Banbury Cross and encounters the distressed boy and his muddy pony.
Riverbank and Shallow Spot
The bank of the sparkling river, leading down to a shallow spot suitable for washing a pony. The water is clear enough to see the bottom in the shallows.
Mood: Helpful, serene, a place for practical action and quiet resolution.
Puss Jr. and the boy take the pony to the river to wash off the mud, and Puss Jr. cleans the pony in the water.
Story DNA
Moral
It is important to be kind to animals and to help those in need.
Plot Summary
Puss, Jr. arrives in Banbury Cross and finds a little boy crying over his pony, Dapple-gray, which was mistreated and left muddy by a lady. The boy fears his father's anger and is too small to clean the pony himself. Puss, Jr. kindly offers to help, leading the pony to the river and washing it thoroughly. The pony is restored to cleanliness and happiness, and the grateful boy thanks Puss, Jr. before he continues his journey.
Themes
Emotional Arc
sorrow to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is a spin-off featuring the son of the famous Puss in Boots, implying a pre-industrial, rural setting common in European fairy tales.
Plot Beats (11)
- Puss, Jr. arrives at Banbury Cross on his gray horse.
- He hears a little boy singing a sad song about his pony, Dapple-gray.
- The boy explains that he lent his pony to a lady who whipped and lashed it, leaving it covered in mud.
- The boy is upset and fears his father's anger because he cannot clean the pony himself.
- Puss, Jr. suggests they take the pony to the river to wash it.
- Puss, Jr. ties his horse and leads the pony and boy to the riverbank.
- The boy is afraid to ride the pony into the water, so Puss, Jr. does it.
- Puss, Jr. rides the pony into the shallow part of the river and thoroughly washes off all the mud.
- The pony is now clean and appears relieved, neighing and kicking its heels.
- The little boy expresses his gratitude, noting the pony looks better than ever.
- Puss, Jr. bids farewell and continues his journey.
