Miss Teddy Bear And The New Neighbor

Miss Teddy bear lived on a path in a house made of leather. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fondue, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Warthog standing there, his hands on his carotid artery. "How nice to see you, Mister Warthog," Miss Teddy bear peeped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," swore Mister Warthog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" yawned Miss Teddy bear gingerly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a latte?"

"I can't stay," fumed Mister Warthog. I just want to ask you what you think of the raven that's come to the path.

"I really don't know," professed Miss Teddy bear. "I didn't know about any raven. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," begged Mister Warthog doubtfully. "I heard that this raven likes to stack dog collars."

"Um, I don't know what to say," sighed Miss Teddy bear, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Warthog, 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 ravens stacking dog collars?"

"I can't imagine," spoke up Miss Teddy bear.

"What are we going to do about it?" announced Mister Warthog.

"Appoint a committee?" indicated Miss Teddy bear, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Warthog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," spat Miss Teddy bear quietly, 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 Warthog breathlessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," interrupted Miss Teddy bear briskly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the water bed on her front porch, looking out over the path and praying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Warthog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," decided Mister Warthog gracefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Teddy bear sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied hungrily.