Story told by Christopher Logue. Illustrated by Nicola Bayley. First American edition, 1977. Greenwillow Books, a division of William Morrow & Co. Inc.
"There was once a miller who had three sons. One day he sent for them and said, "My sons, I am old. The time has come to divide my possessions between you."
"To his eldest son he gave his mill, to his second son he gave his horse, and to his youngest son he gave his cat.
"A cat?" said the youngest son. "What good is a cat? With a mill I could earn a living, on a horse I might travel the world, but having eaten my cat and sold its skin I shall starve."
When the young man had stopped complaining, the cat, whose name was Puss, said:
"Master, if you get me a cloak, a pair of fine black boots, and a draw-string bag, you will find that a cat is not so poor a gift as you think."
"Very well," said the young man. "I'll see what I can do."
The rest you may know...
Christopher Logue (1926 - 2011) was an English poet, playwright, journalist, and actor. He became a prominent figure in the British Poetry Revival. His life was marked by both controversy and creativity, including a stint in prison and active participation in anti-nuclear protests. Logue's work extended to the screen as well, with screenplays like "Savage Messiah" and "The End of Arthur's Marriage." He was also known for his adaptation of Homer's "Iliad," which won him the Whitbread Poetry Award in 2005.
Nicola Bayley (1949 - ) is a British children's book illustrator and author, known for her illustrations of cats. Bayley's debut, "Nicola Bayley's Book of Nursery Rhymes," was published in 1975, followed by the acclaimed "The Tyger Voyage" and "The Mousehole Cat," the latter winning the British Book Award. Her work, characterized by meticulous detail and vibrant colors, often features her own pet cats, bringing a personal touch to her enchanting creations.
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Condition: Near Fine. Lacks dust jacket, as issued. Illustrated cover boards: Light shelf wear; lightly bumped at the corners. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete. Pop-ups are intact and undamaged.
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