Part One

Revival of an old nursery tale in which the fortunes of a young prince are secured by the services of a white cat.

An old king who wanted to give his kingdom to one of his three sons, said:

“My sons, I wish to give my crown to one of you. The one who brings me the smallest dog shall be king in my place.” The three sons were very much astonished at this, for each one wanted to be king. So they all set out on a search for a dog.

The youngest son went from town to town looking for a dog. Search as he might he could not find one to his fancy. At last he came to a wood and lost his way. He saw a bright light in the distance and went towards it. He saw it was a fine palace and went in. It was full of gold and precious stones. The walls were of china, the floors of silver, and the furniture was pearl.

The prince looked around and saw hands beckoning him. They led him to a chair by the fire, and he sat down; they led him to a room and put beautiful clothes on him; they led him to a dining-room and served him with rich and dainty food. As he sat at the table he saw a little figure coming towards him. On each side of the figure were all sorts of cats; some carrying mouse traps with mice in them, and some carrying catnip ready for tea.

When the little figure came near the prince saw that she was a cat—a beautiful white cat. He bowed very low and said:

“Madam, I thank you for all your kindness to me. I am a prince in search of a dog to take home. I pray you to help me.”

The White Cat sat on a chair and began to dip one of the mice her attendants brought her into a jar of honey. While she was eating her supper she said:

“Sir Prince, that is very easy. Take this acorn and open it and you shall find your dog.”

The prince hurried home the next day, and was just in time, for the two brothers had already arrived with their dogs.

The Prince, however, broke open the acorn, and out jumped the tiniest dog the king had ever seen. He frisked about and rolled over on the carpet, and jumped upon the chairs until the king could not make up his mind. So he sent the brothers out again to bring him the finest piece of cambric in the world. The young Prince went again to the White Cat and told her his trouble.

“That is easy,” said the White Cat. “Take this millet seed and open it and you shall have the cambric.” The young Prince hurried home with the millet seed, and when he opened it he could hardly believe his eyes for there were four hundred yards of cambric so fine it all went through the eye of a needle in a second.

The old king still shook his head and said:

“I will have to send you out again—and for the last time.” But what he sent them for we will have to learn to-morrow.