It's getting close to the end of the line. Rumpelstiltskin must win this last leg of the tournament or Belle is lost to him forever. He also needs to learn what Puss In Boots and the Blue Fairy meant by giving Belle what she needs and not what he thinks she needs. He must open his heart to love and not let his quest for power cloud his judgment. Before the fencing competition, he arranged a meeting with Belle, but before he can bask in her presence, he gets some much-needed advice from Puss In Boots.
Puss In Boots walked ahead of Rumpelstiltskin, staying several feet away and watching the crowd part as he sauntered through the town square. That cat didn't merely walk. His gait brimmed with assertiveness. He sauntered, with a sway of the hip and a swish of the tail. He did not use magic. He had no need for it. He got his way through sheer cunning, and his easy wit and talent for acute observation helped.
Having nine lives also played a big part in his success.
Jealousy rumbled in Rumpelstiltskin's belly. He didn't have Puss's charisma. Puss cajoled and schmoozed with the locals who gladly plied him with raspberries, lamb, and potatoes for Belle's meals for the next couple of days. Rumpelstiltskin had asked Puss to set up an appointment with Belle so he could see her and talk to her. He missed her. He couldn't live without her. When she agreed to see him, his heart soared. Oh, to be in her arms again!
Puss chatted up the shopkeepers and had them smiling and laughing. They gave him more raspberries than he asked for! They gave him the best potatoes and threw in several servings of green beans without charging him. One even gave him a pomegranate to give to Belle since she knew Belle liked the tart fruit. On the other hand, when Rumpelstiltskin approached the townspeople they cowered in his presence; only giving him what he demanded out of fear rather than respect and admiration. He fought to get the best produce and the shopkeepers never gave him more than he asked for.
He didn't like the way Puss took charge of his situation, namely now he tossed his arm in Rumpel's general direction when the shopkeepers filled bags heaping with food. Rumpelstiltstkin became Puss's personal mule, and he didn't like being treated in such a manner.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. I know what you're thinking," Puss said. "How am I supposed to carry a bag that's bigger than I am?"
"You don't have to act like I'm your personal slave. I'm not a pack mule meant to be loaded down with goods."
"Are you sure?" Puss winked. "As long as you want to win Belle's hand, you'll do anything to please her, and that includes carrying her groceries."
Rumpelstiltskin snorted. Once his arms were so full of bags he feared he'd drop them, they wandered back to the carriage that awaited them. The driver took the bags and placed them in the back of the carriage whilst Rumpelstiltskin and Puss sat inside. In moments they were off, heading towards Belle's lovely new home.
"Belle will appreciate you helping me carry her provisions into her house." Puss said. "I know you don't want to do it, but if you do, you'll look like you are a considerate person, which I find highly amusing since you don't have a considerate bone in your body."
"I am too considerate!" Rumpelstiltskin bellowed. How could Puss be so forward and rude to him? Didn't he know who he was? Puss was the only person in the entire village that stood up to Rumpelstiltskin and challenged his authority, which took quite a bit of bravery. Or stupidity. It was hard to tell which. Despite his annoyance at the cat, Rumpelstiltskin felt a growing sense of respect for Puss. It took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to him. "I am very considerate. I even let the families who owe me back rent pay me after the tournament is over. I won't evict them from either their homes or their shops."
"That's mighty considerate of you," Puss said in a tone of voice that made Rumpelstiltskin realize he didn't think he was considerate at all. "Why not let them pay you back in installments so they don't end up homeless or without a means of selling their wares? It wouldn't hurt your reputation to show a little compassion."
"My reputation is none of your concern, dearie." Rumpelstiltskin eyed up Puss, who sat with his legs crossed, body leaning against the corner of the seat, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. The question on his lips demanded a voice, and he could no longer resist. "Tell me. How do you do it?"
"How do I do what?"
"Get people to do what you want without lifting a finger?"
Puss's laugh was so hearty Rumpelstiltskin almost laughed himself. "It's no big secret, Rumpelstiltskin. So you want to influence people the way I do; get them to do your bidding whilst making it look effortless?"
"Yes!"
"It's easy. Give the people what they need and they will repay you threefold."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Puss leaned forward and placed his paws on Rumpelstiltskin's knees. "When you take a positive and friendly approach, you'll find it's much easier to get what you want. Your method of threats and intimidation work, but not nearly as effectively. And it takes you weeks to achieve what I can achieve in days." He cocked his head and regarded Rumpelstiltskin with a curious expression. "What I'm saying applies to Belle, too."
"How?" Any time the topic turned to Belle, Puss had Rumpelstiltskin's undivided attention.
"As I've said, look to her heart. Find out what she wants, not what you want. Give her what she needs. That means thinking outside your selfish little box."
Rumpelstiltskin couldn't believe the insult! How dare Puss to talk him like that! "I think outside the box all the time! What do you take me for? A horse with blinders on?"
"To be honest? Yes, I do. You are as blind as a bat in a dark cave."
He turned away from Puss. "I won't tolerate your slurs. I have nothing more to say to you."
"Oh, stop it. I'm trying to help you. Do you love Belle?"
Runpelstiltskin regarded the cat with caution and then took a chance to let his guard down. "Yes, very much."
"Then look to her heart. Don't take. Give. I know that's not easy for you - don't look at me like that! I'm trying to help you, you impossible creature! Love is powerful. It can change people. I know you want what's best for Belle and if you look to her heart, you'll find it." He clapped his paws together and cheered. "We are here! Look at her garden. It's in full bloom already! The faeries have done their magic and given her a lovely home. As have you, Rumpelstiltskin. This is one way you've looked to Belle's heart. You gave her some space. I know that wasn't easy for you."
"It wasn't. I'm afraid..."
Puss looked at him with compassion. "Afraid of what?"
"Afraid I'll lose her if I let her go."
"Trust in yourself. You're better than that. Now let's get her groceries inside and stay for a spot of tea, if she lets us. I'm sure she will."
Rumpelstiltskin knew "getting her groceries inside" meant he had to carry them all, but he didn't mind. All he wanted was to see his Belle! And now, he had his chance. Look to her heart. He would do that, and hopefully she would continue to allow him into her heart.