Montana’s Home
Story By
Harrison Woodard
Illustrations By
Donna Rosin
Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime. Boris acts out this parable by helping a homeless cat not only with his immediate need for food, but also helping him find a home that will provide all his needs. We must remember to do both for our neighbors, provide their immediate needs as well as introduce them to the source for everything they need. A Christian children’s story for kids of all ages.
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. — Matthew 25:35 NLT
It was just after sundown when Boris left for his evening patrol.
“I’ll start at the park,” he thought.
He quietly walked around the house, sniffing the air for anything strange.
He crouched down and searched the neighborhood. It looked safe.
He tucked his ears back, ran across the yard, and jumped onto the trunk of the tallest tree in the front yard. He clung there for a moment.
“I’ll climb it later,” said Boris as he jumped back down.
He walked across the street to Taffy’s house. He jumped up onto a low limb and peered through an open window.
“Taffy,” called Boris.
Taffy came trotting into the room.
“Can you come out and play?” asked Boris.
“Not tonight,” answered Taffy. “My parents want me to stay inside. Maybe tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you then,” said Boris.
Boris ran down to the park and decided to search the shrubbery first.
“Any birds or squirrels in here?” asked Boris.
Lucky for them, there weren’t any.
He climbed the old oak tree and looked around.
“I smell a cat,” said Boris. “I hope it’s a friendly cat,”
He bounded down the tree and ran to the alley entrance.
Down the alley, there was a cat digging in the trash. Boris crept closer and crouched down at a safe distance. He had never seen this cat before, so he was a little nervous.
“Hello,” said Boris.
The other cat turned around and glared at Boris.
“What do you want?” asked the stranger with a short hiss.
“I, I just wanted to say hi,” replied a nervous Boris.
“Get away from here,” shouted the stranger as he chased Boris out of the alley. “And don’t come back!”
Boris ran all the way home. He was so scared.
“Why was that cat so mean?” wondered Boris. “He must be hungry.”
He opened the cabinet, and grabbed a packet of his food. He crawled through his pet door and headed back to the alley.
“Have you found anything to eat?” asked Boris timidly.
“No,” said the stranger. “ And when I do, I’m not going to share it with you!”
“Would you like some food?” asked Boris. “I have some, if you’re hungry.”
The stranger jumped down.
“Why would you do that?” he asked.
“I have plenty of food, I wanted to share some with you,” said Boris.
Putting the packet on the ground and his paw on top, Boris carefully tore it open with his mouth. “Tuna is my favorite. I hope you like it.”
The stranger eagerly ate all the food. “That was awesome!”
“My name is Boris, what’s yours?” asked Boris.
“I’m Montana,” answered the stranger.
“I will bring some more tomorrow,” said Boris.
“Are you sure that your family won’t get mad?” asked Montana.
“Everything will be fine,” said Boris.
“OK. See you tomorrow,” said Montana.
The next day, Boris brought another packet and gave it to Montana.
“Don’t you have a home?” asked Boris.
“No, I live on my own,” said Montana.
“Have you ever lived with a family?” asked Boris.
“I don’t ever remember living with humans,” said Montana. “They’re kind of scary.”
“Wouldn’t you like to have a warm place to sleep, food, and a family that loves you?” asked Boris.
“It sounds nice, but who would want me?” asked Montana.
“I’m sure there is a family out there for you,” said Boris.
For the next several days, Boris kept delivering packets of food to Montana. Soon, his parents noticed something strange.
“Chris, we need some more cat food. Will you buy some when you go to the store?” asked Pam.
“I just bought a box three days ago,” said Chris.
They looked at each other and then over at Boris asleep next to the fireplace.
“Do you think Boris is taking food when we aren’t looking?” asked Chris.
“Well, there is one way to find out,” said Pam.
Pam took the cat food and placed it out of his reach.
“Let’s see if he can get it here,” said Pam.
That evening Boris went to get another packet for Montana. He opened the cabinet and his food wasn’t there. He opened all the cabinets he could reach, but he couldn’t find his food anywhere.
“Where’s my food?” asked Boris. “What will I eat? What will I take to Montana?”
Boris climbed through his pet door and ran across the street to Taffy’s house. Taffy was sleeping on the front porch.
“Taffy, I need your help,” said Boris.
“What’s wrong?” asked Taffy.
“I’ve been sharing my food with a homeless cat,” said Boris. “When I went to get some today, my parents had moved my food where I couldn’t reach it. What am I going do?”
Taffy thought for a moment. “My parents only open one can of food at a time. The other cans are in the pantry and I can’t reach them.”
The two cats sat on the porch and considered their problem.
“Why don’t you go explain the situation to your friend,” said Taffy. “I am sure he will understand.”
“Will you pray for Montana tonight?” asked Boris.
“I will,” answered Taffy.
Boris scampered off towards the Alley. He looked everywhere, but couldn’t find Montana.
When Boris returned home, he bowed his head, “Father, please show me how I can help Montana. Amen.”
Boris went to sleep believing that God would provide the answer.
The next day Boris went outside to enjoy the sunshine. Next door, Mrs. Tinney was working in her vegetable garden. She was definitely a cat person. He ran over to say hello.
“Why hello Boris,” said Mrs. Tinney. “I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit. I want you to visit often and keep those birds and squirrels out of my garden.”
Boris was good at chasing away birds and squirrels. In fact, he considered himself an expert. He rubbed against Mrs. Tinney’s leg.
“I have some leftover chicken,” said Mrs. Tinney. “Would you like some?”
Boris followed her to her backdoor. He waited patiently until she returned with a small bowl of food. Boris was very excited because her food was always awesome.
He leaned down to take a bite.
“Wait a minute,” thought Boris. “This is the answer.”
Boris ran down the sidewalk towards Taffy’s house with Mrs. Tinney staring in disbelief.
Boris ran up to Taffy’s pet door and peeked his head inside.
“Taffy, Taffy, come quick!” shouted Boris.
Taffy came running into the room and climbed through her pet door.
“What’s wrong?” asked Taffy.
“God answered our prayer,” said Boris. “Montana can live with Mrs. Tinney. She loves cats and lives all alone. It’s perfect.”
“Let’s go tell Montana,” said Taffy.
The two cats ran to the alley.
“Montana! Montana! Where are you!” shouted Boris.
The two cats were suddenly confronted by two rough-looking alley cats.
“Well, well, look what we have here Mick,” said the first. “Two little kitties, how precious.”
“Barney, what are we going to do about this invasion of our territory?” asked Mick.
“We, were just…” started Boris.
“Shut up!” shouted Barney.
Just then there was a voice from behind Mick and Barney, which startled both of them.
“Hello fellas,” said Montana. “I see you’ve met my friends.”
Mick and Barney were scared because Montana was a very large cat.
“Uh, we didn’t know they were your friends Montana,” said Mick.
“Yea, we were just saying hello,” added Barney.
“I bet,” said Montana. “Why don’t you go back to your own neighborhood?”
Mick and Barney took off down the alley and out of sight.
“Thank you,” said Boris. “They were a little scary.”
“Their hiss is worse than their scratch,” said Montana. “They won’t bother you again.”
“This is my friend Taffy,” said Boris. “We have an idea we wanted to share with you.”
“What is it?” asked Montana.
“Follow us,” said Boris and Taffy.
Montana followed them to Mrs. Tinney’s house. Mrs. Tinney was surprised to see three cats now in her backyard.
“Oh, I see you brought your friends,” said Mrs. Tinney. “I hope I have enough for all three of you.”
Boris looked at Montana, “Mrs. Tinney lives alone and makes really good food. I think you might like staying here.”
Montana walked over to the bowl and took a bite. Boris was right. The chicken was very good. Mrs. Tinney gently rubbed Montana’s neck.
“You are a handsome cat,” said Mrs. Tinney. Noticing that Montana didn’t have a collar she asked, “Don’t you have a home?”
Montana paused eating to rub against her leg.
“You can stay here as long as you like,” said Mrs. Tinney.
“I hope you enjoy your new home,” said Boris as he and Taffy left for home.
“Thank you both,” said Montana. “I think I might like it here.”
THE END
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