Mister Honeybee And The New Neighbor

Mister Honeybee lived in a marsh in a tent made of leaves and twigs. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover prime rib, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Gnu standing there, his hands on his face. "How nice to see you, Mister Gnu," Mister Honeybee appealed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," worried Mister Gnu. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" spewed Mister Honeybee coldly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a bottle of Gatorade?"

"I can't stay," sputtered Mister Gnu. I just want to ask you what you think of the ladybug that's come to the marsh.

"I really don't know," spewed Mister Honeybee. "I didn't know about any ladybug. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," spewed Mister Gnu flightily. "I heard that this ladybug likes to pulverize canes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gnu, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the marsh when we get a lot of ladybugs pulverizing canes?"

"I can't imagine," cajoled Mister Honeybee.

"What are we going to do about it?" grunted Mister Gnu.

"Appoint a committee?" acknowledged Mister Honeybee, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gnu had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," orated Mister Honeybee majestically, 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 Gnu crazily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," rambled Mister Honeybee roughly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bath mat on his front porch, looking out over the marsh and moaning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gnu. Do come again."

"Just a minute," barked Mister Gnu cheerfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Honeybee thought he 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. Gnu doing these days?"

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

Mister Honeybee sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied steadily.