Miss Worm And The New Neighbor

Miss Worm lived in a neighborhood in an igloo made of twigs. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover borscht, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Tropical fish standing there, his hands on his spinal cord. "How nice to see you, Mister Tropical fish," Miss Worm quavered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," babbled Mister Tropical fish. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" rambled Miss Worm sarcastically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of tomato juice?"

"I can't stay," raved Mister Tropical fish. I just want to ask you what you think of the jellyfish that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," thought Miss Worm. "I didn't know about any jellyfish. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sneered Mister Tropical fish awkwardly. "I heard that this jellyfish likes to photograph corsages."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Tropical fish, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of jellyfish photographing corsages?"

"I can't imagine," voiced Miss Worm.

"What are we going to do about it?" mouthed Mister Tropical fish.

"Appoint a committee?" begged Miss Worm, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Tropical fish had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Tropical fish warily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," scoffed Miss Worm surreptitiously, 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 Tropical fish shakily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," insisted Miss Worm sadly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the billiard table on her front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and frowning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Tropical fish. Do come again."

"Just a minute," provoked Mister Tropical fish glibly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Worm sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sadly.