Mister Dodo Bird And The New Neighbor

Mister Dodo bird lived on a hillside in a housing project made of chocolate. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mashed potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

He made a beeline to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

He was surprised to see Mister Chicken standing there, his hands on his big toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Chicken," Mister Dodo bird sputtered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," roared Mister Chicken. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" added Mister Dodo bird carefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," blathered Mister Chicken. I just want to ask you what you think of the pony that's come to the hillside.

"I really don't know," fumed Mister Dodo bird. "I didn't know about any pony. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," pointed out Mister Chicken proudly. "I heard that this pony likes to dispose of pop bottles."

"Um, I don't know what to say," pleaded Mister Dodo bird, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Chicken, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the hillside when we get a lot of ponies disposing of pop bottles?"

"I can't imagine," sniveled Mister Dodo bird.

"What are we going to do about it?" joked Mister Chicken.

"Appoint a committee?" yowled Mister Dodo bird, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Chicken had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Chicken noisily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," pleaded Mister Dodo bird boldly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding himself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Chicken tenderly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," complained Mister Dodo bird sorrowfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pedestal on his front porch, looking out over the hillside and wailing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Chicken. Do come again."

"Just a minute," sputtered Mister Chicken tensely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Dodo bird thought he had answered, and was beginning to get grizzled. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Chicken doing these days?"

Mister Chicken would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Mister Dodo bird sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied daintily.