Miss Fox And The New Neighbor

Miss Fox lived in a pasture in a chalet made of straw. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover falafel, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Baboon standing there, his hands on his eyebrow. "How nice to see you, Mister Baboon," Miss Fox croaked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," fretted Mister Baboon. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" revealed Miss Fox cleverly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a rum and Coke?"

"I can't stay," invited Mister Baboon. I just want to ask you what you think of the parakeet that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," analyzed Miss Fox. "I didn't know about any parakeet. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," prattled Mister Baboon tearfully. "I heard that this parakeet likes to squash fishing rods."

"Um, I don't know what to say," interrupted Miss Fox, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Baboon, 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 parakeets squashing fishing rods?"

"I can't imagine," hissed Miss Fox.

"What are we going to do about it?" professed Mister Baboon.

"Appoint a committee?" interrupted Miss Fox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Baboon had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," pleaded Miss Fox repeatedly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Baboon steadily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," called Miss Fox grandly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on her front porch, looking out over the pasture and playing Duck Duck Goose. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Baboon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," reminded Mister Baboon menacingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Fox thought she had answered, and was beginning to get intrepid. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Baboon doing these days?"

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

Miss Fox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied proudly.