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Puss in Boots, Jr., and the Good Gray Horse

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<hr style="width: 65%;" />[101] <h2>"NO BIGGER THAN MY THUMB"</h2> <div class='cap'>HAVING traveled so long on horseback, Puss, Junior, found it hard to resume his journey on foot. However, he manfully set out once more. The pills Doctor Drake had given him made him feel quite frisky, and he ran along at a good rate. In fact, he felt that perhaps he might just as well have kept his Good Gray Horse and taken the chance of becoming really ill. But it was too late now; the bargain had been made and he must make the best of it. So on he jogged, whistling a merry tune to help along his tired feet.</div> By and by he came to a pretty cottage and, entering the front gate, looked in through the window. At a table sat a woman, singing: <div class='poem'> "I had a little husband, no bigger than my thumb; I put him in a pint pot, and there I bid him drum. I bought a little horse that galloped up and down; I saddled him and bridled him and sent him out of town. I gave him some garters to garter up his hose, And a little pocket handkerchief to wipe his pretty nose." </div> "I wish she had given me the little horse," said Puss, with a sigh, "for I certainly miss my good gray steed."[102] Just then the woman looked up and, seeing Puss at the window, called out, "Come in, little Sir Cat." Puss, Junior, jumped nimbly through the open window and stood beside her. "What do you think of my little husband?" "He certainly is no bigger than your thumb, madam." "He is a good little man, all the same," she replied, "and when he's astride of his little horse he makes a fine appearance. Wait, and I will show you how well he can ride." All of a sudden Puss heard the pawing of hoofs, and there stood the prettiest little horse he had ever seen. It was no larger than a play toy, but well built. A long, silky mane fell over his neck, and a curly tail almost reached to the ground. Then, quick as a wink, the little husband jumped out of the pint pot and vaulted nimbly into the saddle. "Gid-ap," he cried, and away went the little horse down the road. "Good-by, madam," cried Puss, running after the tiny horseman. But it was impossible to catch up with him, and pretty soon he disappeared in a cloud of dust. "Well, well," cried Puss to himself, "I had no idea that such a tiny steed could run so fast. Will wonders never cease until I have found my dear father, Puss in Boots?"[103] Then, taking out his pocket handkerchief, he wiped his forehead. "I shall not despair, however," he said, bravely, "for I have a good pair of legs, and all journeys come to an end at last, so I shall keep merrily on my way." <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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