Mister Cockatiel And The New Neighbor

Mister Cockatiel lived in a dumpster in a junk car made of metal. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lamb curry, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Dodo bird standing there, her hands on her nose. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Dodo bird," Mister Cockatiel appealed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," began Mrs. Dodo bird. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" responded Mister Cockatiel obediently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a painkiller?"

"I can't stay," demanded Mrs. Dodo bird. I just want to ask you what you think of the skunk that's come to the dumpster.

"I really don't know," groveled Mister Cockatiel. "I didn't know about any skunk. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," laughed Mrs. Dodo bird clumsily. "I heard that this skunk likes to wipe hats."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Dodo bird, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the dumpster when we get a lot of skunks wiping hats?"

"I can't imagine," interpreted Mister Cockatiel.

"What are we going to do about it?" offered Mrs. Dodo bird.

"Appoint a committee?" jeered Mister Cockatiel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Dodo bird had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Dodo bird mysteriously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," inquired Mister Cockatiel delicately, 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. Dodo bird surreptitiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," decided Mister Cockatiel nonchalantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cupboard on his front porch, looking out over the dumpster and looking angry. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Dodo bird. Do come again."

"Just a minute," moaned Mrs. Dodo bird carefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Cockatiel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied doubtfully.