Mister Dolphin And The New Neighbor

Mister Dolphin lived at a lakeside in a retreat made of marbles. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ceviche, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Puma standing there, his hands on his belly. "How nice to see you, Mister Puma," Mister Dolphin worried, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," analyzed Mister Puma. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" babbled Mister Dolphin frenetically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Shirley Temple?"

"I can't stay," snarled Mister Puma. I just want to ask you what you think of the dolphin that's come to the lakeside.

"I really don't know," inquired Mister Dolphin. "I didn't know about any dolphin. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," stuttered Mister Puma grandly. "I heard that this dolphin likes to expose bats."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Puma, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the lakeside when we get a lot of dolphins exposing bats?"

"I can't imagine," commented Mister Dolphin.

"What are we going to do about it?" hissed Mister Puma.

"Appoint a committee?" conversed Mister Dolphin, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Puma had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," winked Mister Dolphin primly, 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 Puma suddenly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," invited Mister Dolphin joyously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the piano on his front porch, looking out over the lakeside and jumping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Puma. Do come again."

"Just a minute," answered Mister Puma cautiously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dolphin sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied needlessly.