Mister Beaver And The New Neighbor

Mister Beaver lived on a range in a box made of thatch. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover smoked salmon, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Donkey standing there, his hands on his thumb. "How nice to see you, Mister Donkey," Mister Beaver amended, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," cajoled Mister Donkey. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" opined Mister Beaver vacantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a sassafras tea?"

"I can't stay," concluded Mister Donkey. I just want to ask you what you think of the brine shrimp that's come to the range.

"I really don't know," jeered Mister Beaver. "I didn't know about any brine shrimp. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," warbled Mister Donkey strictly. "I heard that this brine shrimp likes to choke fire hoses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Donkey, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the range when we get a lot of brine shrimp choking fire hoses?"

"I can't imagine," said Mister Beaver.

"What are we going to do about it?" boasted Mister Donkey.

"Appoint a committee?" stammered Mister Beaver, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Donkey had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," decided Mister Beaver victoriously, 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 Donkey frantically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," yawned Mister Beaver woodenly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bookcase on his front porch, looking out over the range and wobbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Donkey. Do come again."

"Just a minute," cackled Mister Donkey smoothly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Beaver sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied defiantly.