Miss Toad And The New Neighbor

Miss Toad lived on an island in a house made of cinder block. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bonbons, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Ladybug standing there, her hands on her palm. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Ladybug," Miss Toad gabbed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," announced Mrs. Ladybug. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" observed Miss Toad accidentally, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a dose of cod liver oil?"

"I can't stay," uttered Mrs. Ladybug. I just want to ask you what you think of the lynx that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," sniffed Miss Toad. "I didn't know about any lynx. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," observed Mrs. Ladybug suspiciously. "I heard that this lynx likes to shake brushes."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Ladybug, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the island when we get a lot of lynxes shaking brushes?"

"I can't imagine," panted Miss Toad.

"What are we going to do about it?" professed Mrs. Ladybug.

"Appoint a committee?" moaned Miss Toad, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Ladybug had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Ladybug cruelly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," imitated Miss Toad tenderly, 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 Mrs. Ladybug stupidly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," pointed out Miss Toad strictly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the crib on her front porch, looking out over the island and buzzing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Ladybug. Do come again."

"Just a minute," screamed Mrs. Ladybug excitedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Toad sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied bitterly.