“Now thanks be to heaven!” cried Jack. “If I had had to carry those stones much farther my back would surely have broken. Oh, what a lucky fellow I am! Everything I touch turns to luck.”
Then he started off with a light heart and light heels, and it did not take him long to reach his mother’s house.
PUSS IN BOOTS
A miller died, leaving three sons to divide his fortune among them. The eldest took the mill and the land around it; the second took the flocks and herds, and then there was nothing left for the third son, Jack, but three bits of silver money, and a little cat that lived in the mill.
“This is all very well,” said Jack, “and the cat is a fine little cat and can feed on the mice it catches, but I do not see how I am to live on three pieces of money.”
“Oh,” answered his brothers, “you will have to start out in the world and do the best you can for yourself.”
Jack took the little cat and started out.
“Do not be uneasy, master,” said the little cat. “You have three silver pieces. Take them and buy me a little pair of boots and a bag, and I will make your fortune for you.”