Mister Flea And The New Neighbor

Mister Flea lived on a trail in a sod house made of wicker. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chopped liver, 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 Mister Gazelle standing there, his hands on his Adam's apple. "How nice to see you, Mister Gazelle," Mister Flea quoted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sighed Mister Gazelle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" groaned Mister Flea vacantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a double latte?"

"I can't stay," whispered Mister Gazelle. I just want to ask you what you think of the kitty that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," sniveled Mister Flea. "I didn't know about any kitty. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," peeped Mister Gazelle quietly. "I heard that this kitty likes to unlock biscuits."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gazelle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of kitties unlocking biscuits?"

"I can't imagine," hollered Mister Flea.

"What are we going to do about it?" chimed Mister Gazelle.

"Appoint a committee?" murmured Mister Flea, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gazelle had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," cajoled Mister Flea boisterously, 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 Gazelle unabashedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," avowed Mister Flea nonchalantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cupboard on his front porch, looking out over the trail and running away. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gazelle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," divulged Mister Gazelle sternly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Flea sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied roughly.