Little John, His Cousin and the Cats

“Okay, Son, your mom and I are goin’ to California on vacation. You know we ain’t never had a vacation and after 40 years, I think it’s time that we do.  So, I’m trustin’ you and your cousin, Little John, to look after things while we’re gone. Main thing you gotta do is be sure you get those twelve cows milked mornin’ and night just like we’ve been a doin’.”

The next day bright and early, the boys headed to the barn. Milking then was all by hand. There weren’t milking machines to be hooked up to each cow while you stood by and watched.

“Get outta the way, cat.  You’ll get your fill in time.  Just get back over there with the rest of them cats and hang on ‘till Little John and me gets these stools pulled up here and sets down.”

So, they herded in the cows one by one. The cats raced over like always and gathered around waiting until one of the boys poured some milk in a little pan setting nearby.  The cats eagerly lapped it up and waited for more.

It was about that time that the wheels in Little John’s head began to turn.

“Hey, would you like to have some fun?  I gotta idea,” Little John said, turning to his cousin.

“I guess so. What’cha got in mind?” Replied his cousin.

“I’m gonna pull the old tractor up here by the door. Then, we’ll hook up a wire to one spark plug . Then, we’ll put the other end in the pan you’re puttin’ the milk in for them cats. It’s gonna be fun!” Said little John.

So, out he went giggling to himself. He could just see how those cats were going to react.  He drove the tractor up by the door and his cousin helped hook up the wires just as Little John had said.

“Now watch this,” said Little John.  As soon as the cats started lapping the milk, Little John started the tractor.  When the cats tongue touched the milk, out the door he flew and headed over the hill.

The boys laughed until they cried.  As soon as another cat lapped at the milk, Little John hit the starter again and the same thing happened. Soon, all ten cats were nowhere to be seen.

About two weeks later, Little John’s aunt and uncle returned and things were pretty much back to normal.

“Hey, you know, I haven’t seen those barn cats since we got back.  Were they here when you and Little John were doin’ the milkin’? Inquired Little John’s uncle.

“Yea, Dad. We fed ‘em just like we always did in that little pan over there.” Said Little John’s cousin.

“Well, I guess they’ll turn up in a few days.  Probably not use to me not bein’ here to help milk. Shucks, their probably out lookin’ for me.” Laughed Little John’s uncle.

“Probably so, Dad,” Said Little John’s cousin, “they were probably shocked because you weren’t here milkin.”

These two boys really didn’t mean to harm the cats. They just wanted to have fun. Little John didn’t realize that electric shock wasn’t a good thing for a poor little cat’s heart.  However, the big problem in this situation was telling an untruth.  A lie is a lie whether it be a big lie or a white lie. To God, all untruth is forbidden.

”Do not lie to each other. You have put out of your life your old ways.” Colossians 3:9 NLV