Miss Oyster And The New Neighbor

Miss Oyster lived in a pond in a tent made of straw. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover enchiladas, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Panther standing there, his hands on his tail. "How nice to see you, Mister Panther," Miss Oyster hissed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," yelped Mister Panther. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" implored Miss Oyster mysteriously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Scotch and soda?"

"I can't stay," whimpered Mister Panther. I just want to ask you what you think of the hermit crab that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," appealed Miss Oyster. "I didn't know about any hermit crab. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," persisted Mister Panther vigorously. "I heard that this hermit crab likes to honor bird baths."

"Um, I don't know what to say," stormed Miss Oyster, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Panther, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of hermit crabs honoring bird baths?"

"I can't imagine," gasped Miss Oyster.

"What are we going to do about it?" rebutted Mister Panther.

"Appoint a committee?" said Miss Oyster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Panther had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," interrupted Miss Oyster noisily, 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 Panther blankly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," smiled Miss Oyster haughtily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the cupboard on her front porch, looking out over the pond and fidgeting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Panther. Do come again."

"Just a minute," howled Mister Panther trustingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Oyster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied gleefully.