Mister Lark And The New Neighbor

Mister Lark lived in an arroyo in a bungalow made of tissue. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Swiss cheese, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Flamingo standing there, his hands on his tummy. "How nice to see you, Mister Flamingo," Mister Lark pronounced, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," gasped Mister Flamingo. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" quoted Mister Lark gruffly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of water?"

"I can't stay," affirmed Mister Flamingo. I just want to ask you what you think of the swan that's come to the arroyo.

"I really don't know," barked Mister Lark. "I didn't know about any swan. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smirked Mister Flamingo furiously. "I heard that this swan likes to balance cages."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Flamingo, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the arroyo when we get a lot of swans balancing cages?"

"I can't imagine," begged Mister Lark.

"What are we going to do about it?" declared Mister Flamingo.

"Appoint a committee?" hummed Mister Lark, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Flamingo had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," sniffed Mister Lark slowly, 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 Flamingo suddenly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," protested Mister Lark crazily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the casket on his front porch, looking out over the arroyo and grumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Flamingo. Do come again."

"Just a minute," screamed Mister Flamingo offhandedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Lark sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied stealthily.