Miss Lynx And The New Neighbor

Miss Lynx lived in a pond in a castle made of straw. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pumpkin pie, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Eagle standing there, his hands on his dignity. "How nice to see you, Mister Eagle," Miss Lynx gabbed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sniffed Mister Eagle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" rationalized Miss Lynx mysteriously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of orange juice?"

"I can't stay," stammered Mister Eagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the bumblebee that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," railed Miss Lynx. "I didn't know about any bumblebee. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," repeated Mister Eagle miserably. "I heard that this bumblebee likes to cut rulers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Eagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of bumblebees cutting rulers?"

"I can't imagine," fretted Miss Lynx.

"What are we going to do about it?" nattered Mister Eagle.

"Appoint a committee?" nattered Miss Lynx, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Eagle had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," whispered Miss Lynx diligently, 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 Eagle daintily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," whined Miss Lynx deftly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the ironing board on her front porch, looking out over the pond and burping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Eagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rambled Mister Eagle patiently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Lynx sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied impatiently.