Miss Caribou And The New Neighbor

Miss Caribou lived in a field in a hut made of thatch. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover banana split, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Elk standing there, his hands on his toenail. "How nice to see you, Mister Elk," Miss Caribou muttered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sneered Mister Elk. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" admitted Miss Caribou furiously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," disputed Mister Elk. I just want to ask you what you think of the horse that's come to the field.

"I really don't know," contended Miss Caribou. "I didn't know about any horse. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," shuddered Mister Elk violently. "I heard that this horse likes to analyze sticks of gum."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Elk, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the field when we get a lot of horses analyzing sticks of gum?"

"I can't imagine," interrupted Miss Caribou.

"What are we going to do about it?" fumed Mister Elk.

"Appoint a committee?" emphasized Miss Caribou, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Elk had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," panted Miss Caribou grimly, 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 Elk cautiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," boasted Miss Caribou breathlessly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the canopy bed on her front porch, looking out over the field and adjusting the clock. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Elk. Do come again."

"Just a minute," drawled Mister Elk cheerfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Caribou sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied dolorously.