Tante Odette and Chouchou lived a frugal and rugged life together in their cozy homestead, and they could not have been more satisfied. Of course, if Chouchou had been able to talk, he would have been better company for Tante Odette.

One evening a backwoodsman knocked at their door. He offered to work around Tante Odette's farm in exchange for his meals and a place to stay. Tante Odette refused his offer; but Chouchou spoke up, "He looks to me like a very fine man and a good worker. You should take him in."

When Tante Odette recovered from her surprise, she decided one should surely listen to the advice of a cat that could talk.

Chouchou was right: Pierre Leblanc the woodsman was a great help to Tante Odette. And now that Chouchou had decided to talk, he made many suggestions. (At the urging of the gray cat, they had pork pie for dinner instead of cabbage soup.) They all grew more and more content with the improvements in their life.

One day another backwoodsman came looking for a friend of his named Pierre Leblanc who could throw his voice. Tante Odette was certain the man who worked for her was not that Pierre Leblanc. She would never allow one who could do such magic into her cottage. Just then Pierre appeared, and the two men greeted each other as old friends.

Pierre's friend asked him to come and spend the winter working with him in the woods. Pierre wasn't sure he wanted to go, and Tante Odette wasn’t sure she wanted him to. But this business about throwing his voice. Was it true?

Chouchou answered for Pierre, "Whoever heard such nonsense? Tante Odette, if you would give Pierre a coin from time to time, he would be quite happy to stay here with us."

Pierre went to tell his friend he would remain with Tante Odette and her wise cat.

"We've made a good bargain, haven’t we, Chouchou?” Tante Odette smiled contentedly. Chouchou covered his nose with the tip of his tail and said not a word.

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