Mister Raven And The New Neighbor

Mister Raven lived in a marsh in a park bench made of rope. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover squash blossom soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

He paraded 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 ankle. "How nice to see you, Mister Cheetah," Mister Raven babbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," reminded Mister Cheetah. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" requested Mister Raven awkwardly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an old fashioned?"

"I can't stay," prattled Mister Cheetah. I just want to ask you what you think of the macaque that's come to the marsh.

"I really don't know," pleaded Mister Raven. "I didn't know about any macaque. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," murmured Mister Cheetah unexpectedly. "I heard that this macaque likes to tickle dog biscuits."

"Um, I don't know what to say," fretted Mister Raven, 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 marsh when we get a lot of macaques tickling dog biscuits?"

"I can't imagine," opined Mister Raven.

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

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exclaimed Mister Raven neatly, 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 miserably. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," smiled Mister Raven surreptitiously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the floor on his front porch, looking out over the marsh and quivering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cheetah. Do come again."

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

Mister Raven thought he had answered, and was beginning to get relaxed. "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 Raven sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied queerly.