Hobbes & Kittn

submitted by A. B. Sue

Hobbes was always a cautious cat, not nervous, but never rushing into anything. Kitn, on the other hand, was forever dashing into everything new. When I brought home a large paper bag one day, I thought they might like to play with it, as our cats always had when I was a child. I set the bag on the floor, lying on its side with its square bottom holding it in position so that it looked like a little cave. Hobbes saw it first. With his typical caution, he approached slowly, sniffing and looking his way up to the bag's mouth. Just as he put his head in, Kitn came running into the kitchen and jumped on the closed end of the bag. The bag collapsed with a crinkle of paper and a whoosh of air. Hobbes ran from the room, terrified Kitn following, their feet scrabbling madly on the linoleum. The dog barked and tried to chase them, her feet also slipping on the floor. I fell on the floor laughing. That brief minute of pandemonium convinced all of my pets to avoid paper bags. Kitn, however, loved plastic grocery bags. She liked to stick her head through the handles and then run around with the bag popping and slapping behind her. I think the noise was pleasing to her, but it sure startled some of my guests.