Mister Goose And The New Neighbor

Mister Goose lived in a pond in a chateau made of taffy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Owl standing there, his hands on his finger. "How nice to see you, Mister Owl," Mister Goose sniveled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sighed Mister Owl. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" pronounced Mister Goose impatiently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cappuccino?"

"I can't stay," yelled Mister Owl. I just want to ask you what you think of the teddy bear that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," murmured Mister Goose. "I didn't know about any teddy bear. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," added Mister Owl cautiously. "I heard that this teddy bear likes to melt bouquets."

"Um, I don't know what to say," reminded Mister Goose, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Owl, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of teddy bears melting bouquets?"

"I can't imagine," bragged Mister Goose.

"What are we going to do about it?" sobbed Mister Owl.

"Appoint a committee?" mentioned Mister Goose, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Owl had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," uttered Mister Goose suddenly, 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 Owl sleepily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chimed Mister Goose grudgingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the armoire on his front porch, looking out over the pond and howling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Owl. Do come again."

"Just a minute," muttered Mister Owl coldly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Goose sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied greedily.