Chapter 27
Chapter 27 of Puss in Boots Jr. in Fairyland. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Puss in Boots Jr. in Fairyland by David Corey.
Chapter 27, The Frog King. You remember in the last story that Puss Jr. was in the house of the Three Bears. Well, after supper they all sat round a table and played titilly winks. And when it was time for bed, the great big bear said, You can sleep with me, Puss, if you like.
But Puss said, You are so big, I'm afraid you might roll on me. And this made the bear laugh so hard that the tears rolled down his cheeks. And then the middling-sized bear said, You can sleep with me if you wish. But oh dear me, Puss thought he was much too big. And then the teeny weeny littlest bear said,
You can sleep with me, Puss Jr. And so Puss went up with him to his little room and was soon fast asleep. And when morning came they all had breakfast. And after that Puss started out on his travels once more. And after a while he came to a place that was very marshy.
And right on top of a big mound of earth sat an immense bullfrog. And he was singing away as loud as he could. Umpty umpty umpty dunk, I'm king of this beautiful pond. Oh yes, I am king of every nice thing. That is near and a little beyond.
And as soon as he saw Puss Jr. he stood up and waved a long bulrush. Welcome, Sir Cat, he said. And then he made a low bow. And I guess he would have commenced to sing again. Only Puss asked him what was the name of the kingdom over which he ruled.
It's the kingdom of sea land, replied the frog. And not far from here lives a terrible water snake. He is my greatest enemy. And then the frog king looked at Puss as if he were nearly frightened to death just because he had spoken out loud about that dreadful snake.
Let me help you, said Puss. I will take my trusty sword and kill this enemy of yours. Oh, you never could, answered the frog. He is very strong and wicked. Leave that to me, said Puss.
Only direct me to him. So the frog king told Puss which way to go. And after a little while Puss came to the place where the terrible water snake lived. And wasn't it lucky. He was at home.
And as soon as he saw Puss he gave a dreadful hiss and coiled himself up in a ring. And if Puss hadn't hit him over the head with his sword, I'm afraid something dreadful would have happened to the little traveler. Well, Puss was about to turn away. When the snake lifted up his head and said in a very weak voice,
Sir Cat, why did you strike me? I never harmed you. And in the next story you shall hear what Puss replied.
