. . . Narrator, storyteller

. . . Chorus, noisy group of spectators

. . . François, eldest son of a miller

. . . Mike, middle son of a miller

. . . Jack, youngest son of a miller

. . . . . . . Puss, tricky cat

. . . . . . . King

. . . . . . . Princess Grace

. . . . . . . King’s Driver

. . . . . . . Ogre Dupree, wealthy landowner

PUSS IN BOOTS: That Tricky Cat

by Laura Peetoomoriginally told by Charles Perrault

illustrated by Laura Watson

© 2008 Scholastic Canada Ltd. V001

PrOlOgUeNarrator: Once upon a time—

Chorus: Yay! Way to go! What a story! [cheering]

Narrator: Why all the cheers? Have you heard this before?

Chorus: Sure! It’s a fairy tale. We know them all. The good guy gets the princess. The bad guy takes a fall. The good guy’s an angel. The bad guy is tricky.

Puss in Boots 2/27

Narrator: Maybe. May I start now?

Chorus: Anytime. We’re not picky.

ACT ONeScene 1: Outside a miller’s house.

Narrator: There once was a miller With three grown-up sons. Alas, the man died, Leaving gifts for each one.

François: I am the eldest. I’ll take the horse.

Mike: I am the second son. The cart’s mine, of course.

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François: With my horse and your cart, we could both earn our keep.

Narrator: Say, where is the youngest?

Mike: [points] He’s in there—asleep!

Jack: [stretches, yawns] What’s going on here? What did I miss?

François: We both have our gifts; now you can have this. [hands Jack the cat]

Jack: That’s all I get? Just a measly old cat?

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Chorus: [shaking fingers] Don’t get caught napping. That’s the moral of that.

[Exit François and Mike]

Scene 2: Still outside a miller’s house.

Narrator: Poor Jack was alone. No brothers. No money. And nowhere to live. [Puss giggles]

Jack: Don’t laugh! It’s not funny! [he does a double take] Hey, wait a minute… What’s happening here?

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Puss: Don’t worry, Master. You have nothing to fear. Just give me some boots And a big fancy hat, And I’ll make you a fortune.

Chorus: A fast-talking cat? Uh… this isn’t normal.

Jack: Are you for real? Some clothes for a fortune… [scratches head, thinking] Okay. It’s a deal!

Narrator: Jack gave him the clothes And the two started walking.

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Chorus: [looking shocked] You shouldn’t listen to tricky cats talking.

ACT TWOScene 1: A riverside. Jack is asleep under a tree.

Narrator: They travelled for hours; Then Jack lay on the ground. He took a nap, While the cat looked around.

[Enter Puss, running]

Puss: Wake up, Master! Wake up!

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Jack: [wakes startled and confused] What-zat? Who-zat?

Puss: Quick—take off your clothes!

Chorus: Don’t do it, Jack! [covering eyes] Too late—there he goes!

Narrator: Jack stripped to his undies And jumped in the river.

Jack: How long must I stay here? I’m starting to shiver!

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Puss: [shouts] Help me! Oh, help me! My master is drowning!

Narrator: [to Chorus] What is the matter? Why are you frowning?

Chorus: Jack is just swimming. What’s he up to, that cat?

Narrator: Don’t get excited. I’m getting to that. The cat had found out That the King of the place Was out riding that day With the young Princess Grace.

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[Enter coach with King, Driver, and Grace]

King: Driver, stop the coach! This looks like disaster!

[Driver runs to help Jack]

You there—you feline! Who is your master?

Puss: [bows deeply] Your servant, Your Highness! This is Count Calabash. Bandits plundered his clothing And all of his cash.

Puss in Boots 10/27

Narrator: The King opened his luggage And gave Jack a suit. Dressed in rich clothing, Jack really looked cute.

[Grace and Jack smile at each other]

King: Hop in the coach, lad, And join us awhile.

Narrator: They drove past rich farmlands For mile after mile.

King: What excellent crops! What cattle! What horses! Who owns all this stuff?

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Puss: Why, the answer, of course, is… My master, the Count. He’s the boss here.

King: Well, what do you know? [to Grace] Did you hear that, my dear?

Chorus: [disgusted] None of this is true, is it?

Narrator: Not in the least. The land really belongs To an ogre. A beast.

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Scene 2: The roadside, just outside a forest. In the distance stands a castle on a hill.

King: I’m getting hungry. Let’s stop for some lunch. [pointing] Whose castle is that? I think I’ve a hunch. [winks at Jack]

Puss: That castle’s my master’s. Your hunch, Sire, is right.

King: Well, I want to see it. We’ll dine there tonight!

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Chorus: [to Puss, shaking fingers] Ha! Now what will you do You fuzzy old liar? You jumped out of the frying pan Into the fire!

Puss: [ignoring Chorus and Jack, who is pulling on his arm] No problem, Your Highness! We’re thrilled that you chose us! Now, just for a moment, Will you excuse us?

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Jack: [in loud whisper, to Puss] Farmlands? A castle? A place where we’ll dine? I’m dead when he finds out This stuff isn’t mine!

Puss: Master, dear Master, All I ask for is trust.

Jack: All right then, old fellow, Do what you must.

[Exit Puss; Jack rejoins King and Grace, who are eating picnic lunch]

Chorus: Yoo-hoo! Oh Ki-ing…

Puss in Boots 15/27

King: I beg your pardon? Who said that?

Narrator: Be quiet, you guys! You’re not part of this scene!

Chorus: [sulking] But we’re tired of lies.

[King is napping; Jack and Grace whisper and giggle together as curtains close]

Puss in Boots 16/27

ACT THreeScene 1: A castle courtyard.

Narrator: The cat ran cross-country, furiously, Till he came to the castle of Ogre Dupree.

Ogre: [offstage] Halt! Who goes there?

Puss: Just a pussycat, Tiny and furry.

Ogre: What do you want? Tell me. I’m in a hurry.

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Puss: Sir, I heard you do magic. Real magic.

Ogre: [suspicious, Ogre enters] Yes—what’s it to you?

Puss: [delighted, then sweetly flattering] Oh, my stars! I’m so happy to hear that it’s true! Your magic is marvellous. Your talent is tremendous. I wish I could see something truly stupendous!

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Ogre: [flattered] Since you’re so keen And so little and sweet, I’ll show you my very best Transforming feat.

Narrator: Dupree went inside. [Exit Ogre] There was a short pause. Then… [Enter Ogre/Lion] A lion was standing there Flaunting his claws!

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Puss: Eek! I’m so frightened! Your magic is slick! But I wonder… can you do This most difficult trick? Try something tiny. A ladybug? A louse? No! Wait! I’ve got it! Turn into… a mouse!

Ogre/Lion: No problem! Here goes. [Exit Ogre/Lion; enter Ogre/Mouse]

Puss in Boots 20/27

Narrator: A tiny white mouse Skittered under the door. The cunning cat pounced—

[Exit Ogre/Mouse, pursued by Puss] And Dupree was no more.

Chorus: Huh? What are you saying?

[Enter Puss, patting belly]

Puss in Boots 21/27

Narrator: The cat ate the mouse. [Enter coach with King, Grace, Jack, and Driver]

And then, the King’s party Arrived at the house.

Chorus: But the ogre, Dupree— What happened to him?

[Puss makes a big “duh!” eye roll at audience]

Narrator: [shaking head] Do I have to explain it? It’s as plain as can be: The mouse that got eaten— That was Dupree.

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Puss: [to King] Welcome, Your Highness, To Calabash Castle!

King: Sorry we’re late.

Puss: Forget it—no hassle!

Jack: [in stage whisper, to Puss] What’s going on? Is it really okay?

Puss: Our bargain’s complete, Jack, As of this day.

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Jack: All this is mine?

Puss: Free and clear. No disputes. Thanks to your loyal friend, [makes grand “ta-dah” gesture] Lord Puss in Boots.

Jack: Well, “Lord [making quotation marks in air] Puss in Boots,” If that is the case, Then please say hello To my wife-to-be, Grace.

[Grace and Puss shake hands; then everyone, including Driver and Narrator, is shaking hands and saying “congratulations.”]

Puss in Boots 24/27

Narrator: They all went inside, Had a feast, went to bed; And, in the morning, The two young folks were wed. Puss in Boots was best man. The King wept with joy. Later came children: Two girls and a boy. With children and wife, With riches and laughter, Jack lived happily Ever after.

[Exit all, except Chorus]

Puss in Boots 25/27

ePIlOgUeChorus: Hey! You! Narrator!

Narrator: [returns wearily] Oh, for goodness’ sake!

Chorus: We hope that old cat Got a big bellyache. He lied! And he cheated! He stole! And he… ate! He was the bad guy. So what was his fate?

Puss in Boots 26/27

Narrator: [annoyed] You want to know more? Okay, then, here goes: Puss in Boots always Wore wonderful clothes. And when Grace’s father Died in his sleep, King Jack gave ol’ Puss Dupree’s castle to keep. Puss owned all the land, All the farms, all the houses; And Puss terrorized Every one of the mouses.

Chorus: [looking mad] We are not happy!

Puss in Boots 27/27

[Narrator walks over to curtain]

Chorus: Come back here, friend!

Narrator: Don’t you guys get it? This is…

[closes curtain on Chorus]

The End!