Miss Reindeer And The New Neighbor

Miss Reindeer lived in a treetop in a yurt made of banana leaves. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage rolls, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Meerkat standing there, his hands on his beard. "How nice to see you, Mister Meerkat," Miss Reindeer voiced, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," admitted Mister Meerkat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" clarified Miss Reindeer later, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a daiquiri?"

"I can't stay," maintained Mister Meerkat. I just want to ask you what you think of the baboon that's come to the treetop.

"I really don't know," phrased Miss Reindeer. "I didn't know about any baboon. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," muttered Mister Meerkat timidly. "I heard that this baboon likes to modify candles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Meerkat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the treetop when we get a lot of baboons modifying candles?"

"I can't imagine," judged Miss Reindeer.

"What are we going to do about it?" quavered Mister Meerkat.

"Appoint a committee?" phrased Miss Reindeer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Meerkat had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," sniped Miss Reindeer speedily, 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 Meerkat dolorously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," rebutted Miss Reindeer positively, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the pool table on her front porch, looking out over the treetop and screaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Meerkat. Do come again."

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

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

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

Miss Reindeer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied offhandedly.