Mister Teddy Bear And The New Neighbor

Mister Teddy bear lived in a badlands area in a chateau made of toothpicks. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cornbread, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Chihuahua standing there, her hands on her leg. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Chihuahua," Mister Teddy bear ranted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," retorted Mrs. Chihuahua. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" shuddered Mister Teddy bear lickety-split, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of water?"

"I can't stay," questioned Mrs. Chihuahua. I just want to ask you what you think of the nightingale that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," announced Mister Teddy bear. "I didn't know about any nightingale. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," barked Mrs. Chihuahua silently. "I heard that this nightingale likes to brush shovels."

"Um, I don't know what to say," wailed Mister Teddy bear, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Chihuahua, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of nightingales brushing shovels?"

"I can't imagine," quavered Mister Teddy bear.

"What are we going to do about it?" sneered Mrs. Chihuahua.

"Appoint a committee?" divulged Mister Teddy bear, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Chihuahua had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Chihuahua tenderly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," whimpered Mister Teddy bear cheerfully, 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 Mrs. Chihuahua offhandedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," announced Mister Teddy bear automatically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on his front porch, looking out over the badlands area and showing up. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Chihuahua. Do come again."

"Just a minute," simpered Mrs. Chihuahua sternly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Teddy bear sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied innocently.