Miss Crab And The New Neighbor

Miss Crab lived in a village in a quonset hut made of clay. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oatmeal, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Peacock standing there, his hands on his hip. "How nice to see you, Mister Peacock," Miss Crab sputtered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," exclaimed Mister Peacock. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" noted Miss Crab queerly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of KoolAid?"

"I can't stay," professed Mister Peacock. I just want to ask you what you think of the lark that's come to the village.

"I really don't know," joked Miss Crab. "I didn't know about any lark. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," jeered Mister Peacock sharply. "I heard that this lark likes to praise crystal balls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Peacock, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the village when we get a lot of larks praising crystal balls?"

"I can't imagine," responded Miss Crab.

"What are we going to do about it?" stormed Mister Peacock.

"Appoint a committee?" yowled Miss Crab, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Peacock had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," blurted Miss Crab strangely, 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 Peacock thoughtfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," grunted Miss Crab intensely, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the wardrobe on her front porch, looking out over the village and giggling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Peacock. Do come again."

"Just a minute," gabbed Mister Peacock sleepily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Crab sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sharply.