Mister Bullfrog And The New Neighbor

Mister Bullfrog lived on a veld in a tent made of taffy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover smoked salmon, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Siamese cat standing there, his hands on his little finger. "How nice to see you, Mister Siamese cat," Mister Bullfrog chattered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," accused Mister Siamese cat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" sputtered Mister Bullfrog victoriously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin sour?"

"I can't stay," bawled Mister Siamese cat. I just want to ask you what you think of the crab that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," articulated Mister Bullfrog. "I didn't know about any crab. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," giggled Mister Siamese cat stupidly. "I heard that this crab likes to measure pillows."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Siamese cat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of crabs measureing pillows?"

"I can't imagine," argued Mister Bullfrog.

"What are we going to do about it?" yammered Mister Siamese cat.

"Appoint a committee?" chanted Mister Bullfrog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Siamese cat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Siamese cat suspiciously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," quavered Mister Bullfrog furiously, 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 Siamese cat gracefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," exploded Mister Bullfrog hastily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the futon on his front porch, looking out over the veld and leering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Siamese cat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," preached Mister Siamese cat ingeniously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

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