The Cotton Swab Invasion

Story By
Harrison Woodard

Illustrations By
Donna Rosin

For Cat Lovers

It has always amazed me how simple things like cotton swabs can entertain cats for hours.

Boris puts his imagination to work battling an army of cotton swabs and ends up making a great big mess. He discovers that both God and Pam love him so much that they will quickly forgive him even when he makes a mistake. If you are a cat lover, or have ever been amused by a cat’s ability to find happiness with a simple cotton swab, you will love this Christian children’s story.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 NIV

It was Monday morning and time for Boris to make his rounds. While his parents were at work, it was his job to guard the house. He started in the living room, looking under the sofa, behind the bookcase, and out the window. The living room was secure – on to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, he checked behind the refrigerator and in the pantry. No threats were found. He even checked each cabinet, at least the ones he could reach.

Next he searched the dining room and family room. He carefully checked all the possible hiding places for any intruders.

Just as he was finishing the first floor, he thought he heard something upstairs. He slowly climbed the stairs, listening carefully as he went. Then, halfway up the stairs, he saw something at the top. He froze on the stairs. There was a cotton swab on the floor, probably a scout.

Boris had successfully fought swabs before, but he was always cautious. A cotton swap invasion was nothing to be taken lightly by a good guard cat.

He carefully climbed the stairs and crouched down ready to pounce. With one mighty jump he was on the swab.

“I’ve got you!” shouted Boris.

But the swab was quick and spun loose across the slick wood floor. Boris exchanged blows with the swab, first, a right and then a left paw. The swab slid down the hall, under a closet door and out of sight. Boris tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t open.

“He won’t be back,” thought Boris.

As He celebrated his victory with a good paw washing, he thought he heard another. He looked in the guest bedroom, but there was nothing. He next checked the hall bathroom, but that was clear as well.

And then he heard it again. It was definitely the squeaky, sneaky voice of another swab. He turned his ears to locate the source.

“Definitely, Mom and Dad’s bathroom,” he thought.

Crouching down, he quietly moved towards the sound.

He entered his parents’ bedroom. He was certain the swabs were in the bathroom. He climbed under the bed and peered into the bathroom through the open door.

There was nothing on the floor. But wait a second; there was a cotton swab peeking out of a box on the counter. If he was very careful, he could sneak in and take it by surprise.

Boris crept through the doorway and made his way just under the swab.

“Good, he didn’t see me,” said Boris.

He stood on his back legs and stretched out his paw. With one mighty blow, he swatted the swab. His paw hit the box sending it plunging to the floor, unleashing the entire cotton swab army.

“Charge!” yelled the swabs as they fell towards Boris.

“Oh no,” cried Boris.

Swabs were attacking him from every direction.

He kicked.

He swatted.

He slapped.

He spun.

He jumped.

They were on his back and on his tail. They were everywhere! But Boris kept fighting, knocking the swabs in every direction.

Boris knew the only way to end this struggle was to find the swabs’ leader. He kept swatting swabs until he spotted one that was a little larger than the rest.

With one giant blow, he pinned the swab leader on the floor with his powerful paw.

“Please don’t hurt us,” begged the swab leader. “We mean you no harm.”

“You must promise to never invade this house again,” said Boris.

“We promise,” said the swab.

As quickly as it started, the battle was over. Boris was victorious.

Proud of his accomplishment he found a warm spot in the sun. He was exhausted from all the fighting. And besides, it was time for his afternoon nap.

Before long, he was fast asleep.

Boris was right in the middle of an incredible dream when he was suddenly jarred awake by a very loud scream.

“Boris!” shouted Pam. “Get in here!”

“Uh oh,” said Boris.

Pam was home from work and had found cotton swaps all over the bathroom floor.

Boris walked into her bedroom and sat down at the bathroom entrance. There was Pam with her hands on her hips glaring at Boris.

Boris really wanted to explain, but there was nothing he could say to make it better. He had let his imagination run wild and made this great big mess.

“God, what should I do?” prayed Boris.

“Show her that you are sorry. She will forgive you,” said God.

“Will you?” asked Boris.

“Already forgotten,” said God.

Boris lowered his head and walked over to Pam. He gingerly rubbed against her leg and then plopped down on the floor next to her feet. He looked up at her expecting to be punished.

“Oh stop that,” said Pam picking him up. “I’m not mad at you. But you are going to help me clean this mess up.”

Pam put him back down and the two picked up all the swabs.

“I expect this to be the last time I come home to find a mess like this,” said Pam.

After he was done cleaning, Boris climbed into bed to finish his nap.

He didn’t want to make a mess again. But those darn cotton swabs, you know you just can’t trust them.

The End

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© Harrison Woodard Illustrations © Donna Rosin All rights reserved. No reproduction or retransmission by any means allowed without the express written consent of the author and illustrator. See Legal Info for details.