Mister Peacock And The New Neighbor

Mister Peacock lived in a forest in a box made of deer hide. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lobster, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Cheetah standing there, his hands on his skin. "How nice to see you, Mister Cheetah," Mister Peacock nattered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mused Mister Cheetah. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" chimed Mister Peacock hopelessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a painkiller?"

"I can't stay," emphasized Mister Cheetah. I just want to ask you what you think of the prairie dog that's come to the forest.

"I really don't know," comforted Mister Peacock. "I didn't know about any prairie dog. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mouthed Mister Cheetah reluctantly. "I heard that this prairie dog likes to darken stacks of papers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Cheetah, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the forest when we get a lot of prairie dogs darkening stacks of papers?"

"I can't imagine," blustered Mister Peacock.

"What are we going to do about it?" argued Mister Cheetah.

"Appoint a committee?" yelped Mister Peacock, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Cheetah had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," responded Mister Peacock nervously, 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 Cheetah sourly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," blurted Mister Peacock energetically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on his front porch, looking out over the forest and snoring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cheetah. Do come again."

"Just a minute," persisted Mister Cheetah fearfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Peacock sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied effortlessly.