Miss Hornet And The New Neighbor

Miss Hornet lived in a pasture in a park bench made of jewels. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sweet potatoes, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Prairie dog standing there, his hands on his head. "How nice to see you, Mister Prairie dog," Miss Hornet purred, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," squeaked Mister Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" mused Miss Hornet grimly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of espresso?"

"I can't stay," mouthed Mister Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the mongoose that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," requested Miss Hornet. "I didn't know about any mongoose. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," avowed Mister Prairie dog surreptitiously. "I heard that this mongoose likes to face pieces of candy."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Prairie dog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pasture when we get a lot of mongeese facing pieces of candy?"

"I can't imagine," reasoned Miss Hornet.

"What are we going to do about it?" disputed Mister Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" sneered Miss Hornet, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Prairie dog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Prairie dog smoothly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," explained Miss Hornet lazily, 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 Prairie dog properly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," purred Miss Hornet clumsily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the display case on her front porch, looking out over the pasture and dithering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Prairie dog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wailed Mister Prairie dog silently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Hornet sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied queerly.