Miss Bear And The New Neighbor

Miss Bear lived in a country meadow in a closet made of cornstalks. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage rolls, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Wolf standing there, his hands on his brain. "How nice to see you, Mister Wolf," Miss Bear indicated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," hinted Mister Wolf. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" whispered Miss Bear innocently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of water?"

"I can't stay," groaned Mister Wolf. I just want to ask you what you think of the camel that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," questioned Miss Bear. "I didn't know about any camel. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," avowed Mister Wolf dolorously. "I heard that this camel likes to photograph boomerangs."

"Um, I don't know what to say," sniveled Miss Bear, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Wolf, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of camels photographing boomerangs?"

"I can't imagine," begged Miss Bear.

"What are we going to do about it?" uttered Mister Wolf.

"Appoint a committee?" simpered Miss Bear, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Wolf had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," requested Miss Bear hastily, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

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

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," guessed Miss Bear kindly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the sofa on her front porch, looking out over the country meadow and exercising. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Wolf. Do come again."

"Just a minute," conversed Mister Wolf resignedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Bear thought she had answered, and was beginning to get conceited. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Wolf doing these days?"

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

Miss Bear sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied perkily.