Mister Dalmatian And The New Neighbor

Mister Dalmatian lived in a jungle in a stinky shack made of diamonds. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fondue, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" proposed Mister Dalmatian urgently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a can of Ensure?"

"I can't stay," fumed Mister Mouse. I just want to ask you what you think of the pig that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," urged Mister Dalmatian. "I didn't know about any pig. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," howled Mister Mouse tenderly. "I heard that this pig likes to wallop abacuses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mouse, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the jungle when we get a lot of pigs walloping abacuses?"

"I can't imagine," reminded Mister Dalmatian.

"What are we going to do about it?" shouted Mister Mouse.

"Appoint a committee?" proposed Mister Dalmatian, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mouse had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," cried Mister Dalmatian rapidly, 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 Mouse kindly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," persisted Mister Dalmatian ignobly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the end table on his front porch, looking out over the jungle and coming along. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mouse. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wondered Mister Mouse crossly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dalmatian sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied warily.