Mister Musk-ox And The New Neighbor

Mister Musk-ox lived on a veld in a cottage made of asphalt. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast turkey, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Turtle standing there, her hands on her hoof. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Turtle," Mister Musk-ox affirmed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," stuttered Mrs. Turtle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" blustered Mister Musk-ox solemnly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"I can't stay," complained Mrs. Turtle. I just want to ask you what you think of the anaconda that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," answered Mister Musk-ox. "I didn't know about any anaconda. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," chuckled Mrs. Turtle unnaturally. "I heard that this anaconda likes to slam coloring books."

"Um, I don't know what to say," laughed Mister Musk-ox, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Turtle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of anacondas slamming coloring books?"

"I can't imagine," yowled Mister Musk-ox.

"What are we going to do about it?" screamed Mrs. Turtle.

"Appoint a committee?" prattled Mister Musk-ox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Turtle had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Turtle tensely. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," conversed Mister Musk-ox openly, 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 Mrs. Turtle furiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chattered Mister Musk-ox shyly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the rug on his front porch, looking out over the veld and scratching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Turtle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," yelled Mrs. Turtle confidently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Musk-ox thought he had answered, and was beginning to get muddled. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Turtle doing these days?"

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

Mister Musk-ox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied dreamily.