Michael is the miller's youngest son. After his father dies, Michael inherits only the family cat while his older brothers receive more substantial parts of the estate. This cat, who wears boots, becomes central to Michael's story. The cat devises a plan to improve Michael's situation by presenting him as a nobleman called the "Marquis of Carabas." To support this deception, the cat arranges for gifts of game to be sent to the king in Michael's name. The cat also engineers a situation where Michael is found without clothes in a river, leading the king to provide him with fine garments. As part of the cat's scheme, Michael gains possession of a castle that belonged to an ogre. The cat tricks the ogre into transforming into a mouse and then devours him, allowing Michael to take ownership of the estate. Impressed by Michael's apparent possessions and the orchestrated events, the king is convinced of his noble status. Consequently, Michael marries the king's daughter, elevating his social standing from miller's son to royalty.