Mister Deer And The New Neighbor

Mister Deer lived at an oasis in a motor home made of yarn. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover steak, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Pekingese standing there, his hands on his bicep. "How nice to see you, Mister Pekingese," Mister Deer hummed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," concluded Mister Pekingese. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" invited Mister Deer sweetly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a V8?"

"I can't stay," winked Mister Pekingese. I just want to ask you what you think of the ferret that's come to the oasis.

"I really don't know," proposed Mister Deer. "I didn't know about any ferret. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," asked Mister Pekingese bravely. "I heard that this ferret likes to roll pearls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Pekingese, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the oasis when we get a lot of ferrets rolling pearls?"

"I can't imagine," railed Mister Deer.

"What are we going to do about it?" jeered Mister Pekingese.

"Appoint a committee?" hollered Mister Deer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pekingese had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," stated Mister Deer sadly, 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 Pekingese ingeniously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wept Mister Deer crankily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the piano on his front porch, looking out over the oasis and shriveling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pekingese. Do come again."

"Just a minute," responded Mister Pekingese boldly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Deer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied dolorously.