Miss Zebra And The New Neighbor

Miss Zebra lived in a jungle in a house made of brass. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover tacos, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bumblebee standing there, his hands on his shoulder. "How nice to see you, Mister Bumblebee," Miss Zebra burbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," commented Mister Bumblebee. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" proposed Miss Zebra sharply, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a martini?"

"I can't stay," reasoned Mister Bumblebee. I just want to ask you what you think of the mouse that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," imitated Miss Zebra. "I didn't know about any mouse. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," whispered Mister Bumblebee cheerfully. "I heard that this mouse likes to protect dolls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bumblebee, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the jungle when we get a lot of mice protecting dolls?"

"I can't imagine," prattled Miss Zebra.

"What are we going to do about it?" contended Mister Bumblebee.

"Appoint a committee?" chortled Miss Zebra, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bumblebee had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," persisted Miss Zebra shyly, 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 Bumblebee violently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," vowed Miss Zebra unexpectedly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bathtub on her front porch, looking out over the jungle and dilly-dallying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bumblebee. Do come again."

"Just a minute," provoked Mister Bumblebee steadily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Zebra sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sarcastically.