Miss Chipmunk And The New Neighbor

Miss Chipmunk lived in a valley in a mud hut made of porcelain. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Froot Loops, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Spider standing there, her hands on her stomach. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Spider," Miss Chipmunk articulated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," revealed Mrs. Spider. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" observed Miss Chipmunk unabashedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a martini?"

"I can't stay," trumpeted Mrs. Spider. I just want to ask you what you think of the beaver that's come to the valley.

"I really don't know," cackled Miss Chipmunk. "I didn't know about any beaver. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," squealed Mrs. Spider diligently. "I heard that this beaver likes to forget toilet seats."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Spider, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the valley when we get a lot of beavers forgetting toilet seats?"

"I can't imagine," howled Miss Chipmunk.

"What are we going to do about it?" boasted Mrs. Spider.

"Appoint a committee?" pronounced Miss Chipmunk, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Spider had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Spider stupidly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," articulated Miss Chipmunk numbly, 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 Mrs. Spider speedily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," swore Miss Chipmunk sadly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the futon on her front porch, looking out over the valley and murmuring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Spider. Do come again."

"Just a minute," whined Mrs. Spider greedily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Chipmunk sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied fearlessly.