Mister Badger And The New Neighbor

Mister Badger lived in an arroyo in a flat made of starch. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover beans, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hyena standing there, his hands on his hip. "How nice to see you, Mister Hyena," Mister Badger opined, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," screeched Mister Hyena. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" exploded Mister Badger dreamily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of espresso?"

"I can't stay," roared Mister Hyena. I just want to ask you what you think of the beetle that's come to the arroyo.

"I really don't know," snarled Mister Badger. "I didn't know about any beetle. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," accused Mister Hyena intensely. "I heard that this beetle likes to lose crates."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hyena, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the arroyo when we get a lot of beetles losing crates?"

"I can't imagine," repeated Mister Badger.

"What are we going to do about it?" orated Mister Hyena.

"Appoint a committee?" yawned Mister Badger, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hyena had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," brought up Mister Badger bitterly, 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 Hyena quickly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shrieked Mister Badger positively, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the carpet on his front porch, looking out over the arroyo and itching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hyena. Do come again."

"Just a minute," intoned Mister Hyena positively. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Badger sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied grimly.