Miss Jackal And The New Neighbor

Miss Jackal lived on a trail in an A-frame made of concrete. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oatmeal, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bunny standing there, his hands on his toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Bunny," Miss Jackal interpreted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," divulged Mister Bunny. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" screamed Miss Jackal offhandedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a milkshake?"

"I can't stay," crooned Mister Bunny. I just want to ask you what you think of the duck that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," decided Miss Jackal. "I didn't know about any duck. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," peeped Mister Bunny stupidly. "I heard that this duck likes to brandish pearls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bunny, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of ducks brandishing pearls?"

"I can't imagine," stated Miss Jackal.

"What are we going to do about it?" quoted Mister Bunny.

"Appoint a committee?" smirked Miss Jackal, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bunny had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," rumored Miss Jackal lazily, 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 Bunny joyously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fumed Miss Jackal gruffly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on her front porch, looking out over the trail and rocking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bunny. Do come again."

"Just a minute," accused Mister Bunny roughly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Jackal sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied fearlessly.