Miss Duck And The New Neighbor

Miss Duck lived on a battlefield in a palace made of silk. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg rolls, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Gerbil standing there, his hands on his vein. "How nice to see you, Mister Gerbil," Miss Duck nattered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," piped up Mister Gerbil. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" sobbed Miss Duck diligently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin sour?"

"I can't stay," analyzed Mister Gerbil. I just want to ask you what you think of the anaconda that's come to the battlefield.

"I really don't know," opined Miss Duck. "I didn't know about any anaconda. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," warbled Mister Gerbil strictly. "I heard that this anaconda likes to admire pots."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gerbil, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the battlefield when we get a lot of anacondas admiring pots?"

"I can't imagine," chanted Miss Duck.

"What are we going to do about it?" swore Mister Gerbil.

"Appoint a committee?" babbled Miss Duck, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gerbil had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," chattered Miss Duck carefully, 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 Gerbil automatically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," babbled Miss Duck fiercely, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the chair on her front porch, looking out over the battlefield and lying around in bed. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gerbil. Do come again."

"Just a minute," yelped Mister Gerbil sweetly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Duck sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied breathlessly.