Mister Moose And The New Neighbor

Mister Moose lived on a path in a villa made of bamboo. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cornbread, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Pekingese standing there, his hands on his cheek. "How nice to see you, Mister Pekingese," Mister Moose pointed out, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," voiced Mister Pekingese. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" observed Mister Moose elatedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a painkiller?"

"I can't stay," mumbled Mister Pekingese. I just want to ask you what you think of the ass that's come to the path.

"I really don't know," thought Mister Moose. "I didn't know about any ass. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," indicated Mister Pekingese urgently. "I heard that this ass likes to cook doilies."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Pekingese, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the path when we get a lot of asses cooking doilies?"

"I can't imagine," stuttered Mister Moose.

"What are we going to do about it?" requested Mister Pekingese.

"Appoint a committee?" boasted Mister Moose, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pekingese had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," rumored Mister Moose tensely, 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 Mister Pekingese glumly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chattered Mister Moose slowly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coffee table on his front porch, looking out over the path and inhaling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pekingese. Do come again."

"Just a minute," amended Mister Pekingese violently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Moose sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied strangely.