The Marquis of Carabas, the name of the third episode as well as the play Naota's class performs within it is a reference to the 16th century Italian story, "Constantino Fortunato" by Giovanni Francesco Straparola. This story is most famously known for being the literary origin of the character "Puss in Boots". In the story, the Marquis of Carabas is a false title the cat (Puss in Boots) refers to his human master by to hide his true status as a peasant.