Mister Ghost And The New Neighbor

Mister Ghost lived in a forest in a Spanish colonial made of chalk. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover potatoes and gravy, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Musk-ox standing there, her hands on her buttocks. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Musk-ox," Mister Ghost reacted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," whined Mrs. Musk-ox. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" grieved Mister Ghost dreamily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Jack Daniel's?"

"I can't stay," added Mrs. Musk-ox. I just want to ask you what you think of the fawn that's come to the forest.

"I really don't know," gasped Mister Ghost. "I didn't know about any fawn. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," chortled Mrs. Musk-ox victoriously. "I heard that this fawn likes to reject yardsticks."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Musk-ox, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the forest when we get a lot of fawns rejecting yardsticks?"

"I can't imagine," articulated Mister Ghost.

"What are we going to do about it?" began Mrs. Musk-ox.

"Appoint a committee?" stammered Mister Ghost, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Musk-ox had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Musk-ox pitifully. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," chanted Mister Ghost coldly, 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. Musk-ox humbly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," queried Mister Ghost carelessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the couch on his front porch, looking out over the forest and growling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Musk-ox. Do come again."

"Just a minute," begged Mrs. Musk-ox bravely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Ghost thought he had answered, and was beginning to get emotional. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Musk-ox doing these days?"

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

Mister Ghost sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied suddenly.