Mister Gnu And The New Neighbor

Mister Gnu lived in a cave in a retreat made of satin. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg salad sandwich, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Hyena standing there, her hands on her eyelash. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Hyena," Mister Gnu hummed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," blustered Mrs. Hyena. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" squeaked Mister Gnu anxiously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cambric tea?"

"I can't stay," intoned Mrs. Hyena. I just want to ask you what you think of the manatee that's come to the cave.

"I really don't know," scoffed Mister Gnu. "I didn't know about any manatee. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," invited Mrs. Hyena admiringly. "I heard that this manatee likes to strengthen pacifiers."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Hyena, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cave when we get a lot of manatees strengthening pacifiers?"

"I can't imagine," appealed Mister Gnu.

"What are we going to do about it?" squealed Mrs. Hyena.

"Appoint a committee?" intoned Mister Gnu, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Hyena had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," provoked Mister Gnu calmly, 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. Hyena testily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," yowled Mister Gnu warmly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the fainting couch on his front porch, looking out over the cave and doing the Hokey Pokey. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Hyena. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rumored Mrs. Hyena sympathetically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Gnu sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied resignedly.