Miss Doberman And The New Neighbor

Miss Doberman lived in a badlands area in a farmhouse made of wire. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Cheerios, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Hermit crab standing there, her hands on her chin. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Hermit crab," Miss Doberman realized, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," hissed Mrs. Hermit crab. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" mentioned Miss Doberman vigorously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a root beer float?"

"I can't stay," barked Mrs. Hermit crab. I just want to ask you what you think of the pelican that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," joked Miss Doberman. "I didn't know about any pelican. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," intimated Mrs. Hermit crab slowly. "I heard that this pelican likes to grip flowerpots."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Hermit crab, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of pelicans gripping flowerpots?"

"I can't imagine," brought up Miss Doberman.

"What are we going to do about it?" implored Mrs. Hermit crab.

"Appoint a committee?" chattered Miss Doberman, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Hermit crab had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Hermit crab grudgingly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," expressed Miss Doberman noisily, 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 Mrs. Hermit crab intensely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," rationalized Miss Doberman warmly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the canopy bed on her front porch, looking out over the badlands area and running away. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Hermit crab. Do come again."

"Just a minute," barked Mrs. Hermit crab stupidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Doberman thought she had answered, and was beginning to get brave. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Hermit crab doing these days?"

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

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