Miss Norway Rat And The New Neighbor

Miss Norway rat lived in a pasture in a KOA Kampground made of ribbons. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover shrimp, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Musk-ox standing there, his hands on his eye. "How nice to see you, Mister Musk-ox," Miss Norway rat vowed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," accused Mister Musk-ox. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" pointed out Miss Norway rat wearily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," fumed Mister Musk-ox. I just want to ask you what you think of the camel that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," gasped Miss Norway rat. "I didn't know about any camel. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," voiced Mister Musk-ox courageously. "I heard that this camel likes to describe diamonds."

"Um, I don't know what to say," piped up Miss Norway rat, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Musk-ox, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pasture when we get a lot of camels describing diamonds?"

"I can't imagine," pointed out Miss Norway rat.

"What are we going to do about it?" preached Mister Musk-ox.

"Appoint a committee?" purred Miss Norway rat, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Musk-ox had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," crooned Miss Norway rat languidly, 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 Musk-ox silently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," guessed Miss Norway rat properly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the floor on her front porch, looking out over the pasture and clapping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Musk-ox. Do come again."

"Just a minute," complained Mister Musk-ox queerly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Norway rat sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied strangely.