Mister Panther And The New Neighbor

Mister Panther lived on a savanna in a penthouse made of steel. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fried eggs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Lobster standing there, his hands on his chin. "How nice to see you, Mister Lobster," Mister Panther raved, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," opined Mister Lobster. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" rationalized Mister Panther roughly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a rum and Coke?"

"I can't stay," mused Mister Lobster. I just want to ask you what you think of the lark that's come to the savanna.

"I really don't know," babbled Mister Panther. "I didn't know about any lark. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," muttered Mister Lobster threateningly. "I heard that this lark likes to protect cans of shaving cream."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Lobster, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the savanna when we get a lot of larks protecting cans of shaving cream?"

"I can't imagine," cackled Mister Panther.

"What are we going to do about it?" babbled Mister Lobster.

"Appoint a committee?" protested Mister Panther, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Lobster had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," insisted Mister Panther shyly, 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 Lobster fiercely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," asked Mister Panther viciously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bathtub on his front porch, looking out over the savanna and raising an eyebrow. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Lobster. Do come again."

"Just a minute," spat Mister Lobster bitterly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Panther sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied tensely.