THE SISTER OF PUSS IN BOOTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 986, 31 May 1930, Page 33

THE SISTER OF PUSS IN BOOTS

No doubt you have all heard the story of Puss in Boots. But have you ever wondered if Puss in Boots had any brothers or sisters? Well, he had one sister who was so small that no one knew anything about her, or. if they did. they soon forgot it. Before Puss set out on all his adventures he made sure that Bess, his sister, would be quite safe. He married her off to a diminutive Persian and built them a home in the branches of a great oak tree. Then he set oif with the miller s youngest son on hi# adventures. The Persian cat whom Bess had married grew tired of living in a tree, but he stood it as long as he could, then ran off and left his wife and little son Iloilo alone. But did Bess mind? Not a it. Mrs. Bess tidied her home and mended Kollo’s clothes and kept a look-out for the return of her brother, and Kollo went shopping for his mother at the Squirrel Store and the Foxes’ Emporium at the foot of the oak, and he, too, watched for the return of his famous uncle, Puss in Boots. The hundreds of birds all around them brought Mother Bess and Kollo all the news there was to be had about

everything, and it grieved Mother Bess that Puss in Boots had -said nothing about returning to his littlo sister.

The months passed by. and Bess grew very worried and unhappy T!io food supply all over the land was getting scarce The Little Folks’ shops were closing down, and Bess was afraid that she and Kollo would die of starva tion unless Puss came back soon She sent a message by Cheep-Chm rup. the SparroW, asking Puss to re turn and take care of them. CheepChirrup flew many days and nights looking for Puss, and when at last ho found him he was too tired to give the message. All he could do was to gasp and quiver on the table before Puss Puss gave him a little wine, and CheepChirrup revived sufficiently to give Bess’s message.

Puss in Boots was horrified at his own thoughtlessness, and immediately went to the miller's son (whom, you know, was now the Marquess of Carabas). and asked leave to go to Bess. Ilis master gave him leave and a special escort and plenty of provisions, and Puss began his journey homeward. On the highest branch of the oaK was perched Kollo, very hungrily gnawing an old root. Suddenly his eyes brightened. There in the distance horsemen were coming and in front of them was a great cat in a coach With a glad cry lie raced down the branch to his mother. “Uncle is coming!” he cried. “Now we are settled for lifel ’* —Roy Neely, aged 14