Mister Camel And The New Neighbor

Mister Camel lived in a bog in an office made of logs. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover borscht, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Phantom standing there, his hands on his elbow. "How nice to see you, Mister Phantom," Mister Camel reacted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," declared Mister Phantom. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" appealed Mister Camel grimly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of grape juice?"

"I can't stay," asked Mister Phantom. I just want to ask you what you think of the rat that's come to the bog.

"I really don't know," repeated Mister Camel. "I didn't know about any rat. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," conversed Mister Phantom urgently. "I heard that this rat likes to finish etchings."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Phantom, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the bog when we get a lot of rats finishing etchings?"

"I can't imagine," wept Mister Camel.

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

"Appoint a committee?" scoffed Mister Camel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Phantom had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," offered Mister Camel energetically, 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 Phantom nervously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," expressed Mister Camel immediately, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on his front porch, looking out over the bog and doodling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Phantom. Do come again."

"Just a minute," squeaked Mister Phantom ruefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Camel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gratefully.