Miss Tarantula And The New Neighbor

Miss Tarantula lived in a country meadow in a skyscraper made of mahogany. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover spaghetti, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Eagle standing there, his hands on his wrist. "How nice to see you, Mister Eagle," Miss Tarantula spouted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," gabbed Mister Eagle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" orated Miss Tarantula merrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a dose of cod liver oil?"

"I can't stay," bawled Mister Eagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the colt that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," accused Miss Tarantula. "I didn't know about any colt. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," bawled Mister Eagle anxiously. "I heard that this colt likes to pinch balls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Eagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of colts pinching balls?"

"I can't imagine," screamed Miss Tarantula.

"What are we going to do about it?" sputtered Mister Eagle.

"Appoint a committee?" commented Miss Tarantula, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Eagle had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," warbled Miss Tarantula defiantly, 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 Eagle quickly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," comforted Miss Tarantula flightily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the floor on her front porch, looking out over the country meadow and coughing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Eagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," piped up Mister Eagle strictly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Tarantula sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied primly.