Learn English Through Stories |⭐Level 1 | Puss In Boots | Graded Reader | English Story Audiobook

Puss in Boots, Part One, The Foot of Family Windmill Yes, this is the story of a very lucky man. Oh, and what a lucky man he was! But it wasn't always this way. In fact, if it hadn't been for a certain cat, then it wouldn't be this way at all. A few years back, Milton Foot and his two brothers, Jack and Henry James, lived with their dad, Arthur. Arthur was a poor, hard-working man who ran a windmill on the hill behind Braxham Bay. I'm afraid to say that old Arthur Footed became ill and sadly died. Jack, the eldest son, was given the windmill to carry on the family business. The middle son, Henry James, was given a donkey, and poor Milton, the youngest of the three, was left a cat. But this was no ordinary cat. This cat could speak just like you and me. A talking cat is something to be seen and heard, but Milton was poor, and owning a cat would only cost him money, money he didn't have. So Milton decided to let the cat go free, to live wild and catch mice to her heart's content. The cat, however, who was rather a clever thing, had other ideas. Let me help you, said the cat, curling a fine whisker in her claw. What? said Milton. You do want a fine house, a happy life, perhaps a family? Yeah, brilliant, said Milton, sticking both thumbs up to show he meant it. Very well, said the cat. Then all I need from you is a fine pair of leather boots. A cat-wive boots, said Milton, scratching his head. That's preposterous. The cat frowned. Milton Footy, she said sternly, you are talking to a C.A.T. What is more preposterous than that? So they travelled straight to town and bought Puss a fine pair of knee-length leather boots. The cat tried them on and admired herself in the mirror. That's the last of me money gone, said Milton, gazing into his empty wallet. I hope this works. Don't worry, Milton, old chum, said Puss in boots. This is going to be perfect. Part Two The Cat and the King Well, that clever feline wasted no time. She travelled directly to the king's castle. They let her in, of course, because you can get anywhere in life with stylish footwear. Puss in boots found out that the king and his daughter Princess Rose would be taking a scenic trip along the River Rundle in a few days' time. This gave the cat an idea, and she returned home to Milton to share her cunning plan. Sure enough, two days later Puss in boots and Milton Footy were hiding behind a giant willow tree by the River Rundle. It was a cool spring day, and Milton was wearing a blanket with no clothes underneath. You better be right about this, Puss, said Milton, shivering. I may just freeze to death out here. Aren't you wearing any pants? asked the cat. You said to take my clothes off, said Milton, shivering. I didn't mean all of them. Oh, never mind, said Puss. Now who are you? Milton tried to remember everything Puss had told him. Oh, right. My name is Marcus Cranberry, and I was— No, no, no. You are the Marcus of Carabass. Oh, yeah, said Milton. Carabass, yes, and I was robbed by a— Robbers, who took all me clothes, bit weird, and threw me in the river. Perfect, said the cat, and pushed Milton in the water. The princess was looking out of her carriage window, when she saw a man splashing about in the river. Father, stop the carriage! There is a man drowning, and— He's got nothing on! The king stopped the carriage, and ordered his daughter to look the other way, before commanding his men to fetch the naked man from the river. Milton sat in the king's carriage, sopping wet and draped in a large towel. He put on his poshest voice, and thanked the king and the princess, explaining that he'd been robbed and thrown in the river. Part Three. Flonk's Castle Meanwhile, Puss in Boots had raced to the nearby castle that belonged to the wicked ogre, Monsieur Pascal Flonk. Flonk happened to have magical powers, and was French, a powerful combination in anyone's book. Puss in Boots told the castle guard that she had very important news about the king's visit. She was quickly shown to a banquet hall, and at one end of a sturdy oak table was Monsieur Flonk, as big and ugly an ogre as you can imagine. He was busy shoveling the most disgusting-smelling pea soup into his slippery lips. What do you want? The ogre shouted between slurps. Monsieur Flonk, I bring good news, said the cat. The king wishes to pay you a visit. Flonk was clearly quite excited at the idea. I got my letter! Your letter, said the cat, slightly taken aback. Um, oh, yes, the letter. He got it, and liked it. Very much, which is exactly the reason he is here today. The king is a fan of your magic, you see. He is, is? Of course he is, said the cat. But I wonder if I could ask you to do a little magic before he arrives, so I can be sure he won't be disappointed. Flonk nodded and wiped the soup dribbles off his face with his hairy forearm. There was a flash, and a bang, and there, where the ogre had been sat, was a huge lion. Uncredible, said the cat in her best French accent. But can you change into anything else? There was another flash, and another bang, and there in place of the lion was a full-size elephant. Vonderbar, said the cat. But I wonder, could you turn yourself into a smaller animal? I don't know. A mouse, perhaps. One more flash, and one more bang, and the ogre transformed from an elephant into the cutest little mouse you have ever seen. Well, this was exactly what the cat had been planning all along. And in a split second, she swiped the mouse into her mouth and swallowed it whole. Perfect, said Puss in Boots, licking her lips. Part Four. The Marquess of Somewhere or Other. By the time the king's carriage trundled past the ogre's castle gate, Puss in Boots was already outside. She beckoned the carriage driver to stop and called out loudly, so the king and the princess inside the carriage could hear. Dear driver, my master, the Marquess of Carabas, the owner of this fine castle, has gone missing. Can you help? At this point, Milton Footed remembered his part, and burst from the carriage, and in his poshest voice shouted, It is I, Marquess of Cranberry. The cat shook her head and sighed wearily. Cranberry, said the cat in disbelief. Uh, yes, said Milton. Bad news is, those robbers stole my pants, but the good news is, the king saved me. I am so relieved, master. I thought the worst, said the cat. Yeah, me too, said Milton, dramatically. Just then, the king and the princess stepped out of the carriage and greeted the cat, who bowed respectfully. Sire, ma'am, please allow us to thank you for your kind help. Won't you come in for tea? Marvellous, said the king. Lead on, Cranberry. Milton looked up at the castle gates. We can't go in there. The cat winked at Milton to let him know that it was all part of the plan, but Milton wasn't getting it. Of course we can, master, because this is your castle. My castle, said Milton. The cat laughed nervously. Ah, you must have bumped your head, master. Now let us show our guests to the great hall. Milton scratched his head. But the ogre lives here. I haven't got a castle. The cat quickly ushered the king and the princess through the castle gates. Well, it all went to plan, and they had a fine day. Puss in Boots explained to the king and princess Rose all about how important and successful the Marquis was, and Milton nodded along and let his cleaver cat do the talking. Puss in Boots and the Marquis of Cranberry or Milton Foot to you and me, lived in that castle from that day on, and after a short while the princess and the Marquis fell in love and decided to be married. They live there still by the River Rundle, overlooking Braxham Bay, and I am pleased to say that they are as happy as two people can be. I suppose you might say that Puss in Boots told lots of lies. I can't disagree with that. But if you asked her, then she would probably say that she simply told a fine story, just like the one I'm telling you now. But what of that clever cat who made this all happen? Funnily enough, she got a very good job in show business. All I'm saying is, if you've ever seen anyone on TV who doesn't seem to be able to do very much, then don't be surprised if Puss in Boots is behind it all dot now. Perhaps Monsieur Flunk, that poor ogre, might not agree, but I think the ending of this story is just perfect.