Mister Jaguar And The New Neighbor

Mister Jaguar lived in a neighborhood in a motel made of gingerbread. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast Cornish game hen, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Bullfrog standing there, her hands on her dignity. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Bullfrog," Mister Jaguar gabbed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," instructed Mrs. Bullfrog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" snorted Mister Jaguar cruelly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of espresso?"

"I can't stay," sneered Mrs. Bullfrog. I just want to ask you what you think of the robot that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," blathered Mister Jaguar. "I didn't know about any robot. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," bellowed Mrs. Bullfrog frantically. "I heard that this robot likes to kiss tissues."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Bullfrog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of robots kissing tissues?"

"I can't imagine," burbled Mister Jaguar.

"What are we going to do about it?" chanted Mrs. Bullfrog.

"Appoint a committee?" chanted Mister Jaguar, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Bullfrog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," preached Mister Jaguar offhandedly, 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. Bullfrog softly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fumed Mister Jaguar charmingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the wardrobe on his front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and dreaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Bullfrog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," queried Mrs. Bullfrog courteously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Jaguar sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied patiently.