Mister German Shepherd And The New Neighbor

Mister German Shepherd lived on a veld in a Spanish colonial made of epoxy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover blueberry pie, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Cow standing there, her hands on her chin. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Cow," Mister German Shepherd amended, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," chuckled Mrs. Cow. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" reacted Mister German Shepherd valiantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a mint julep?"

"I can't stay," interrupted Mrs. Cow. I just want to ask you what you think of the ghost that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," imitated Mister German Shepherd. "I didn't know about any ghost. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," spouted Mrs. Cow carelessly. "I heard that this ghost likes to weigh boxes."

"Um, I don't know what to say," exclaimed Mister German Shepherd, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Cow, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of ghosts weighing boxes?"

"I can't imagine," began Mister German Shepherd.

"What are we going to do about it?" instructed Mrs. Cow.

"Appoint a committee?" contended Mister German Shepherd, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Cow had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," warbled Mister German Shepherd reluctantly, 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. Cow brightly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," cried Mister German Shepherd timidly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the desk on his front porch, looking out over the veld and adjusting the clock. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Cow. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rambled Mrs. Cow stupidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister German Shepherd sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gracefully.