Mister Crab And The New Neighbor

Mister Crab lived in a valley in a brownstone made of noodles. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken chow mein, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Giraffe standing there, his hands on his fingernail. "How nice to see you, Mister Giraffe," Mister Crab reacted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," scoffed Mister Giraffe. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" complained Mister Crab vacantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a fruit smoothie?"

"I can't stay," called Mister Giraffe. I just want to ask you what you think of the zebra that's come to the valley.

"I really don't know," mused Mister Crab. "I didn't know about any zebra. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," bellowed Mister Giraffe ruefully. "I heard that this zebra likes to crack combs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Giraffe, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the valley when we get a lot of zebras cracking combs?"

"I can't imagine," shuddered Mister Crab.

"What are we going to do about it?" interpreted Mister Giraffe.

"Appoint a committee?" simpered Mister Crab, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Giraffe had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," growled Mister Crab menacingly, 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 Giraffe reluctantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," giggled Mister Crab miserably, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the beanbag chair on his front porch, looking out over the valley and staring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Giraffe. Do come again."

"Just a minute," fumed Mister Giraffe carefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Crab sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied woodenly.