THE EARL of CATTENBOROUGH
by Joseph Jacobs · from Europa's Fairy Book
Adapted Version
A boy named John lived. He had a clever cat named Miss Puss.
John was a miller's son. He got only Miss Puss. His brothers got other things. John was sad then.
Miss Puss was very clever. She caught a rabbit for John. She took it to the King. She said, "From the Earl of Cattenborough!"
Miss Puss found a shiny coin. She put it in a big box. She showed the King the box. The King thought the Earl was very rich.
The King heard about the rich Earl. He wanted to meet him. He sent an invite to the Earl.
John was scared. He had no nice clothes. Miss Puss said, "Don't worry! I will help you!"
Miss Puss said, "Swim, John!" She hid clothes. She told the King, "Oh no! Bad people took clothes. King gave John new."
John went to the palace. He looked very grand. Miss Puss talked for him. She said nice things about John.
The King gave John a small bed. Miss Puss quickly changed it. John got a big, soft bed. The King thought John was a real Earl.
The King was happy. He said, "John, marry my daughter, the Princess!"
John and the Princess marry. King said, "Visit castle!" John was scared. He had no castle!
Miss Puss ran fast. She told farmers, "Say land is Earl's!" Farmers scared. They said yes.
Miss Puss went to a big castle. A big, scary Ogre lived there. Miss Puss tricks the Ogre. The Ogre uses magic powder. He gets very, very small. Then the Ogre disappears! Now the castle is John's.
The King sees the big castle. He is very happy! John and the Princess live there now.
One day, Miss Puss pretends to be tired. John forgets how much she helped him. Miss Puss reminds him. John remembers. He is kind to Miss Puss.
John becomes the new King. He and the Princess live happily. Miss Puss lives happily too. Miss Puss was very clever. She helped John. Cleverness is good.
Original Story
THE EARL OF CATTENBOROUGH
Once upon a time there was a miller who had three sons, Charles, Sam, and John. And every night when the servant went to bed he used to call out:
"Good-night, Missus; good-night, Master; Good-night, Charles, Sam, John."
Now after a time the miller's wife died, and, soon after, the miller, leaving only the mill, the donkey, and the cat. And Charles, as the eldest, took the mill, and Sam took the donkey and went off with it, and John was left with only the cat.
Now how do you think the cat used to help John to live? She used to take a bag with a string around the top and place it with some cheese in the bushes, and when a hare or a partridge would come and try to get the piece of cheese—snap! Miss Puss would draw the string and there was the hare or partridge for Master Jack to eat. One day two hares happened to rush into the bag at the same time. So the cat, after giving one to Jack, took the other and went with it to the King's palace. And when she came outside the palace gate she cried out, "Miaou."
The sentry at the gate came to see what was the matter. Miss Puss gave him the hare with a bow and said: "Give this to the King with the compliments of the Earl of Cattenborough."
The King liked jugged hare very much and was glad to get such a fine present.
Shortly after this Miss Puss found a gold coin rolling in the dirt. And she went up to the palace and asked the sentry if he would lend her a corn measure.
The sentry asked who wanted it. And Puss said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough."
So the sentry gave her the corn measure. And a little while afterwards she took it back with the gold coin, which she had found, fixed in a crack in the corn measure.
So the King was told that the Earl of Cattenborough measured his gold in a corn measure. When the King heard this he told the sentry that if such a thing happened again he was to deliver a message asking the Earl to come and stop at the palace.
Some time after the cat caught two partridges, and took one of them to the palace. And when she called out, "Miaou," and presented it to the sentry, in the name of the Earl of Cattenborough, the sentry told her that the King wished to see the Earl at his palace.
So Puss went back to Jack and said to him: "The King desires to see the Earl of Cattenborough at his palace."
"What is that to do with me?" said Jack.
"Oh, you can be the Earl of Cattenborough if you like. I'll help you."
"But I have no clothes, and they'll soon find out what I am when I talk."
"As for that," said Miss Puss, "I'll get you proper clothes if you do what I tell you; and when you come to the palace I will see that you do not make any mistakes."
So next day she told Jack to take off his clothes and hide them under a big stone and dip himself into the river. And while he was doing this she went up to the palace gate and said: "Miaou, miaou, miaou!"
And when the sentry came to the gate she said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough, has been robbed of all he possessed, even of his clothes, and he is hiding in the bramble bush by the side of the river. What is to be done? What is to be done?"
The sentry went and told the King. And the King gave orders that a suitable suit of clothes, worthy of an Earl, should be sent to Master Jack, who soon put them on and went to the King's palace accompanied by Puss. When they got there they were introduced into the chamber of the King, who thanked Jack for his kind presents.
Miss Puss stood forward and said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough, desires to state to your Majesty that there is no need of any thanks for such trifles."
The King thought it was very grand of Jack not to speak directly to him, and summoned his lord chamberlain, and from that time onward only spoke through him. Thus, when they sat down to dinner with the Queen and the Princess, the King would say to his chamberlain, "Will the Earl of Cattenborough take a potato?"
Whereupon Miss Puss would bow and say: "The Earl of Cattenborough thanks his Majesty and would be glad to partake of a potato."
The King was so much struck by Jack's riches and grandeur, and the Princess was so pleased with his good looks and fine dress that it was determined that he should marry the Princess.
But the King thought he would try and see if he were really so nobly born and bred as he seemed. So he told his servants to put a mean truckle bed in the room in which Jack was to sleep, knowing that no noble would put up with such a thing.
When Miss Puss saw this bed she at once guessed what was up. And when Jack began to undress to get into bed, she made him stop, and called the attendants to say that he could not sleep in such a bed.
So they took him into another bedroom, where there was a fine four-poster with a dais, and everything worthy of a noble to sleep upon. Then the King became sure that Jack was a real noble, and married him soon to his daughter the Princess.
After the wedding feast was over the King told Jack that he and the Queen and the Princess would come with him to his castle of Cattenborough, and Jack did not know what to do. But Miss Puss told him it would be all right if he only didn't speak much while on the journey. And that suited Jack very well.
So they all set out in a carriage with four horses, and with the King's life-guards riding around it. But Miss Puss ran on in front of the carriage, and when she came to a field where men were mowing down the hay she pointed to the life-guards riding along, and said: "Men, if you do not say that this field belongs to the Earl of Cattenborough those soldiers will cut you to pieces with their swords."
So when the carriage came along the King called one of the men to the side of it and said, "Whose is this field?"
And the man said, "It belongs to the Earl of Cattenborough."
And the King turned to his son-in-law and said, "I did not know that you had estates so near us."
And Jack said, "I had forgotten it myself."
And this only confirmed the King in his idea about Jack's great wealth.
A little farther on there was another great field in which men were raking hay. And Miss Puss spoke to them as before. So, when the carriage came up, they also declared that this field belonged to the Earl of Cattenborough. And so it went on through the whole drive. Then the King said, "Let us now go to your castle."
Then Jack looked at Miss Puss, and she said: "If your Majesty will but wait an hour I will go on before and order the castle to be made ready for you."
With that she jumped away and went to the castle of a great ogre and asked to see him. When she came into his presence she said:
"I have come to give you warning. The King with all his army is coming to the castle and will batter its walls down and kill you if he finds you here."
"What shall I do? What shall I do?" said the ogre.
"Is there no place where you can hide yourself?"
"I am too big to hide," said the ogre, "but my mother gave me a powder, and when I take that I can make myself as small as I like."
"Well, why not take it now?" said the cat.
And with that he took the powder and shrunk into a little body no bigger than a mouse. And thereupon Miss Puss jumped upon him and ate him all up, and then went down into the great yard of the castle and told the guards that it now belonged to her Master the Earl of Cattenborough. Then she ordered them to open the gates and let in the King's carriage, which came along just then.
The King was delighted to find what a fine castle his son-in-law possessed, and left his daughter the Princess with him at the castle while he drove back to his own palace. And Jack and the Princess lived happily in the castle.
But one day Miss Puss felt very ill and lay down as if dead, and the chamberlain of the castle went to Jack and said:
"My lord, your cat is dead."
And Jack said: "Well, throw her out on the dunghill."
But Miss Puss, when she heard it, called out: "Had you not better throw me into the mill stream?"
And Jack remembered where he had come from and was frightened that the cat would say. So he ordered the physician of the castle to attend to her, and ever after gave her whatever she wanted.
And when the King died he succeeded him, and that was the end of the Earl of Cattenborough.
Story DNA
Moral
With cleverness and resourcefulness, one can overcome humble beginnings and achieve great success.
Plot Summary
John, the youngest of three brothers, inherits only a clever cat named Miss Puss. Miss Puss, through a series of elaborate deceptions, presents herself to the King as the servant of the wealthy 'Earl of Cattenborough', sending gifts and implying vast riches. The King, intrigued, invites the 'Earl' to his palace. Miss Puss orchestrates John's transformation into a nobleman, securing him fine clothes and coaching him on his behavior. After John marries the Princess, Miss Puss tricks local farmers into claiming their land belongs to the Earl and then outwits and devours an ogre to claim his castle. John and the Princess live happily, and John eventually succeeds the King, but not before Miss Puss tests his gratitude by feigning death.
Themes
Emotional Arc
poverty to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a variant of the 'Puss in Boots' tale, which has European origins and often reflects societal aspirations for upward mobility through wit rather than birthright.
Plot Beats (15)
- A miller's three sons inherit his possessions; John, the youngest, receives only a cat.
- The clever cat, Miss Puss, hunts game and presents a hare to the King, claiming it's from 'The Earl of Cattenborough'.
- Miss Puss finds a gold coin, uses a borrowed corn measure to imply her master's wealth, and returns it with the coin stuck, further impressing the King.
- The King, hearing of the Earl's wealth, invites him to the palace.
- John is hesitant due to his poverty, but Miss Puss promises to help him become the Earl.
- Miss Puss instructs John to hide his clothes and bathe in the river, then tells the King John has been robbed, securing him noble attire.
- John arrives at the palace, with Miss Puss acting as his spokesperson, further enhancing his perceived grandeur.
- The King tests John's nobility by providing a humble bed, but Miss Puss ensures he receives a lavish one, confirming his 'noble' status.
- Convinced of his wealth and nobility, the King arranges for John to marry the Princess.
- After the wedding, the King insists on visiting 'Cattenborough Castle', causing John to panic.
- Miss Puss runs ahead, threatening local farmers to claim their lands belong to the Earl of Cattenborough.
- Miss Puss arrives at an ogre's castle, tricks the ogre into shrinking himself with a magic powder, and then eats him, claiming the castle for John.
- The King is delighted with the castle, leaving John and the Princess there.
- Miss Puss feigns death; John initially suggests throwing her out, but she reminds him of his origins, leading him to treat her with respect and gratitude.
- John eventually succeeds the King and lives happily as the Earl of Cattenborough.
Characters
Miss Puss ★ protagonist
A sleek, agile domestic cat of average size. Her fur is likely a common color for a working cat, perhaps tabby or black, allowing her to blend into surroundings for hunting. She moves with cunning grace and purpose.
Attire: None, as she is an animal, but her natural fur is her 'attire'.
Wants: To elevate her master, John, to a position of wealth and power, thereby securing a comfortable and respected life for herself.
Flaw: Her pride and a slight vulnerability to being discarded once her purpose is served, as seen when John suggests throwing her on the dunghill.
She successfully transforms John from a penniless miller's son into an Earl and eventually King, securing her own position of influence and comfort. She learns that even after achieving success, she must remain vigilant to maintain her status.
Cunning, resourceful, loyal (to her own interests and John's), intelligent, manipulative, strategic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sleek, intelligent domestic cat, perhaps with a tabby coat, standing upright on her hind legs, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has bright, alert green eyes and pointed ears. She wears no clothing but has a small, sturdy brown canvas bag with a drawstring clutched in one paw. Her expression is cunning and determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
John ★ protagonist
Initially a common miller's son, likely of average height and build, with a somewhat unassuming appearance. After being dressed in fine clothes, he appears handsome and well-groomed, fitting the role of a noble. His ethnicity would be consistent with a British fairy tale setting, likely fair-skinned.
Attire: Initially, simple, worn peasant clothes of coarse linen or wool. Later, he wears a lavish suit of clothes befitting an Earl: fine velvet or silk doublet and breeches, perhaps in deep blues or greens, with intricate embroidery, a crisp linen shirt, and polished leather shoes. These would be in a 17th or 18th-century English style.
Wants: Initially, simply to survive. Later, to maintain the comfortable life Miss Puss has created for him and to avoid her displeasure.
Flaw: Lack of initiative, inability to speak for himself, fear of exposure, dependence on Miss Puss.
Transforms from a penniless, passive miller's son into a wealthy Earl, a Prince, and eventually King, entirely through the machinations of his cat. He learns to trust Miss Puss completely and to play the part she creates for him, eventually becoming accustomed to his elevated status.
Passive, easily intimidated, somewhat naive, agreeable, initially lacking ambition, but capable of learning to play a role.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man of average height and slender build, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has fair skin, a clean-shaven face, and neatly styled dark brown hair. He wears a rich, deep blue velvet doublet with silver embroidery, matching breeches, a crisp white linen shirt with ruffled cuffs, and polished black leather shoes. His expression is slightly reserved and thoughtful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ◆ supporting
A monarch of a European kingdom, likely in the 17th or 18th century. He would be of a dignified build, perhaps a bit portly, reflecting a life of comfort. His ethnicity would be consistent with a British fairy tale, likely fair-skinned.
Attire: Rich, formal royal attire: a heavy velvet or brocade robe, possibly in crimson or purple, lined with ermine, over a fine silk doublet and breeches. He would wear a golden crown or a jeweled cap, and a heavy gold chain of office. His clothing would be in a 17th or 18th-century European style.
Wants: To secure a suitable, wealthy, and noble husband for his daughter, and to maintain the prestige of his kingdom.
Flaw: His susceptibility to outward appearances and his reliance on superficial indicators of wealth and status.
He is initially impressed by the 'Earl of Cattenborough's' gifts and perceived wealth. He is then completely convinced of John's noble lineage through Miss Puss's deceptions and happily marries his daughter to him, never realizing the truth. He remains unchanged in his perception.
Generous (initially), easily impressed by displays of wealth and grandeur, somewhat gullible, traditional, concerned with noble lineage.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly, portly man with a dignified bearing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a fair complexion, a neatly trimmed white beard, and a stern yet benevolent expression. He wears a rich crimson velvet robe lined with white ermine fur, a gold-embroidered white silk doublet, and dark breeches. On his head rests a heavy golden crown set with large rubies. He holds a golden scepter in his right hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Princess ◆ supporting
A beautiful young woman, befitting a royal princess. Her appearance would be consistent with a British fairy tale, likely fair-skinned and delicate.
Attire: Elegant and fashionable gowns of fine silk or brocade, in soft colors like pale blue, rose, or cream, with intricate lace or embroidery. Her dresses would be in a 17th or 18th-century European court style, with a fitted bodice and full skirt.
Wants: To marry a suitable and handsome noble, as expected of a princess.
Flaw: Her susceptibility to superficial charm and appearances.
She is pleased by John's good looks and fine dress and readily agrees to marry him, believing him to be a wealthy and noble Earl. She lives happily with him, unaware of his true origins.
Pleasant, easily charmed by good looks and fine dress, likely gentle and kind.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young woman of slender build, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has fair skin, soft features, and long, flowing golden-blonde hair styled with delicate pearls. Her eyes are a gentle blue. She wears an elegant pale blue silk gown with a fitted bodice, wide sleeves, and a full skirt adorned with silver embroidery. A delicate silver necklace with a single pearl rests at her throat. Her expression is serene and pleasant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ogre ⚔ antagonist
A monstrously large and imposing figure, much larger than a human. He is described as being 'too big to hide' before he shrinks. His skin might be rough or greenish, with a brutish build.
Attire: Simple, rough clothing befitting a giant, perhaps a tunic of animal hides or coarse, dark fabric, or just a loincloth. No fine attire.
Wants: To maintain his solitary existence and his ownership of his castle, and to avoid harm.
Flaw: His gullibility and fear, which Miss Puss exploits, and his reliance on a magical powder that makes him vulnerable.
He is tricked by Miss Puss into shrinking himself, leading to his demise. He serves as the final obstacle to John's complete acquisition of wealth and status.
Gullible, easily frightened, powerful but unintelligent, possessive of his castle.
Image Prompt & Upload
A monstrously large, brutish male ogre with green-tinged, rough skin and a powerful, muscular build, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a wide, flat nose, thick brow ridges, and small, beady eyes. His hair is coarse and dark, unkempt. He wears a simple, torn brown leather tunic. His expression is one of fear and confusion. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Miller's Mill and Farmyard
A working mill with its associated farmyard, likely rustic and functional. The river flows nearby, providing water for the mill and a place for John to 'bathe'.
Mood: Humble, industrious, later a place of transformation.
John inherits the cat here; the cat begins her hunting and scheming; John is instructed to hide his clothes and dip in the river.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic English watermill with a large, moss-covered wooden waterwheel slowly turning, nestled beside a gently flowing river. The mill building is constructed of rough-hewn timber and local stone, with a thatched roof. A small, unpaved farmyard with scattered straw and a few burdock plants leads to the riverbank, where a dense bramble bush and a large, smooth river stone are visible. Soft morning light filters through a few willow trees along the river. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The King's Palace
A grand royal residence, likely of English or Northern European design, with a formal gate, a throne room, dining hall, and various chambers, including a guest bedroom.
Mood: Formal, opulent, initially intimidating, later welcoming.
The cat delivers gifts and messages; John is introduced to the King and Princess; the marriage is arranged; the King tests John's nobility.
Image Prompt & Upload
An opulent English Tudor-style palace interior, specifically a grand dining hall. Tall, leaded-glass windows with diamond panes look out onto formal gardens. The walls are paneled in dark, polished oak, adorned with tapestries depicting hunting scenes. A long, heavy oak dining table is set with silver and fine linens, illuminated by the warm glow of a large, ornate iron chandelier hanging from the high, beamed ceiling. A grand stone fireplace dominates one wall. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Countryside Estates
Vast agricultural lands, including hay fields, stretching along a road. These fields are actively worked by local laborers.
Mood: Pastoral, industrious, open.
The cat tricks the laborers into claiming the fields belong to the 'Earl of Cattenborough', impressing the King.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, sun-drenched English countryside landscape in late summer. Rolling green hills are covered with vast fields of golden hay, some freshly mown into neat rows, others still standing tall. Figures of men in rustic clothing are visible in the distance, working with scythes and rakes. A winding dirt road cuts through the fields, leading towards a distant line of mature oak trees. The sky is a clear, bright blue with a few wispy white clouds. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Ogre's Castle (later Cattenborough Castle)
A formidable, ancient castle, likely of medieval European design, with strong walls, a great yard, and various chambers. It is initially occupied by an ogre and his guards.
Mood: Initially menacing and imposing, later grand and welcoming.
The cat tricks and devours the ogre, claiming the castle for John; John and the Princess live here happily.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, imposing medieval English castle, constructed of dark, rough-hewn grey stone, with towering battlements and thick, fortified walls. A heavy, studded wooden gate stands open, revealing a vast, cobbled inner courtyard. Weather-beaten flags with an unknown crest flutter from the highest turrets. The sky above is dramatic with heavy, fast-moving clouds, casting deep shadows across the castle's ancient facade. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
