'I have been told,' said Puss, 'that you have the power to change yourself into any kind of animal--for example, that you can transform yourself into a lion or an elephant.' 'That is perfectly true,' said the ogre, curtly; 'and just to prove it you shall see me turn into a lion.' Puss was so frightened on seeing a lion before him that he sprang on to the roof--not without difficulty and danger, for his boots were not meant for walking on the tiles. Perceiving presently that the ogre had abandoned his transformation, Puss descended, and owned to having been thoroughly frightened. 'I have also been told,' he added, 'but I can scarcely believe it, that you have the further power to take the shape of the smallest animals--for example, that you can change yourself into a rat or a mouse. I confess that to me it seems quite impossible.' 'Impossible?' cried the ogre; 'you shall see!' And in the same moment he changed himself into a mouse, which began to run about the floor. No sooner did Puss see it than he pounced on it and ate it. Presently the king came along, and noticing the ogre's beautiful mansion desired to visit it. The cat heard the rumble of the coach as it crossed the castle drawbridge, and running out to the courtyard cried to the king: 'Welcome, your Majesty, to the castle of the marquis of Carabas!' [Illustration: '_Puss became a personage of great importance_'] 'What's that?' cried the king. 'Is this castle also yours, marquis? Nothing could be finer than this courtyard and the buildings which I see all about. With your permission we will go inside and look round.' The marquis gave his hand to the young princess, and followed the king as he led the way up the staircase. Entering a great hall they found there a magnificent collation. This had been prepared by the ogre for some friends who were to pay him a visit that very day. The latter had not dared to enter when they learned that the king was there. The king was now quite as charmed with the excellent qualities of the marquis of Carabas as his daughter. The latter was completely captivated by him. Noting the great wealth of which the marquis was evidently possessed, and having quaffed several cups of wine, he turned to his host, saying: 'It rests with you, marquis, whether you will be my son-in-law.' The marquis, bowing very low, accepted the honour which the king bestowed upon him. The very same day he married the princess. Puss became a personage of great importance, and gave up hunting mice, except for amusement. [Illustration: Decoration] LITTLE TOM THUMB Once upon a time there lived a wood-cutter and his wife, who had seven children, all boys. The eldest was only ten years old, and the youngest was seven. People were astonished that the wood-cutter had had so many children in so short a time, but the reason was that his wife delighted in children, and never had less than two at a time.