Mister Troll And The New Neighbor

Mister Troll lived in a pasture in a barracks made of cow pies. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover blueberry pie, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Weasel standing there, his hands on his toupee. "How nice to see you, Mister Weasel," Mister Troll called, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," roared Mister Weasel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" comforted Mister Troll haughtily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of Kool-Aid?"

"I can't stay," brought up Mister Weasel. I just want to ask you what you think of the ox that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," sniffed Mister Troll. "I didn't know about any ox. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," voiced Mister Weasel despondently. "I heard that this ox likes to lick pictures."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Weasel, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pasture when we get a lot of oxen licking pictures?"

"I can't imagine," judged Mister Troll.

"What are we going to do about it?" interrupted Mister Weasel.

"Appoint a committee?" railed Mister Troll, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Weasel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," spouted Mister Troll ferociously, 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 Weasel gruffly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," decided Mister Troll perkily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the mattress on his front porch, looking out over the pasture and pacing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Weasel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rambled Mister Weasel blankly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Troll sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied grandly.