Miss Otter And The New Neighbor

Miss Otter lived on a veld in a cabin made of ribbons. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ravioli, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Hedgehog standing there, his hands on his ear. "How nice to see you, Mister Hedgehog," Miss Otter snarled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," repeated Mister Hedgehog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" questioned Miss Otter nimbly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mai Tai?"

"I can't stay," yelped Mister Hedgehog. I just want to ask you what you think of the dog that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," laughed Miss Otter. "I didn't know about any dog. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," griped Mister Hedgehog surreptitiously. "I heard that this dog likes to watch napkins."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hedgehog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of dogs watching napkins?"

"I can't imagine," trumpeted Miss Otter.

"What are we going to do about it?" smirked Mister Hedgehog.

"Appoint a committee?" persisted Miss Otter, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hedgehog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," ranted Miss Otter tenderly, 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 Hedgehog craftily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," mused Miss Otter sadly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the file cabinet on her front porch, looking out over the veld and burbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hedgehog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," shouted Mister Hedgehog testily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Otter sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied gleefully.