Miss Goldfish And The New Neighbor

Miss Goldfish lived in a garden in a housing project made of palm leaves. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pretzels, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Dragon standing there, his hands on his forehead. "How nice to see you, Mister Dragon," Miss Goldfish barked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," pointed out Mister Dragon. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" yowled Miss Goldfish woodenly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot toddy?"

"I can't stay," squeaked Mister Dragon. I just want to ask you what you think of the donkey that's come to the garden.

"I really don't know," mumbled Miss Goldfish. "I didn't know about any donkey. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," bellowed Mister Dragon woodenly. "I heard that this donkey likes to slam sticks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Dragon, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the garden when we get a lot of donkeys slamming sticks?"

"I can't imagine," avowed Miss Goldfish.

"What are we going to do about it?" groaned Mister Dragon.

"Appoint a committee?" pointed out Miss Goldfish, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dragon had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," roared Miss Goldfish softly, 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 Dragon threateningly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," implored Miss Goldfish nimbly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bench on her front porch, looking out over the garden and breathing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dragon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wailed Mister Dragon peevishly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

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