Mister Chameleon And The New Neighbor

Mister Chameleon lived in a marsh in a travel trailer made of straw bales. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover wienerschnitzel, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Duck-billed platypus standing there, her hands on her eyeball. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus," Mister Chameleon inquired, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," bellowed Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

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

"I can't stay," wondered Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the rooster that's come to the marsh.

"I really don't know," reacted Mister Chameleon. "I didn't know about any rooster. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," uttered Mrs. Duck-billed platypus vacantly. "I heard that this rooster likes to chisel watering cans."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus, 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 roosters chiseling watering cans?"

"I can't imagine," articulated Mister Chameleon.

"What are we going to do about it?" mused Mrs. Duck-billed platypus.

"Appoint a committee?" declared Mister Chameleon, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Duck-billed platypus had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus delicately. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," exploded Mister Chameleon dolefully, 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. Duck-billed platypus suspiciously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," lectured Mister Chameleon bravely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on his front porch, looking out over the marsh and mumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

"Just a minute," swore Mrs. Duck-billed platypus smoothly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Chameleon thought he had answered, and was beginning to get proud. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Duck-billed platypus doing these days?"

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

Mister Chameleon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied frenetically.