Mister Polar Bear And The New Neighbor

Mister Polar bear lived on a hillside in a mud hut made of vinyl. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Hamburger Helper, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hamster standing there, his hands on his rib. "How nice to see you, Mister Hamster," Mister Polar bear complained, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," appealed Mister Hamster. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" drawled Mister Polar bear angrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of fruit punch?"

"I can't stay," fretted Mister Hamster. I just want to ask you what you think of the teddy bear that's come to the hillside.

"I really don't know," sneered Mister Polar bear. "I didn't know about any teddy bear. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sighed Mister Hamster caustically. "I heard that this teddy bear likes to bake fishing rods."

"Um, I don't know what to say," prattled Mister Polar bear, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Hamster, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the hillside when we get a lot of teddy bears baking fishing rods?"

"I can't imagine," sputtered Mister Polar bear.

"What are we going to do about it?" wept Mister Hamster.

"Appoint a committee?" drawled Mister Polar bear, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hamster had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," fantasized Mister Polar bear testily, 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 Hamster zestily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," contended Mister Polar bear immediately, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on his front porch, looking out over the hillside and playing Duck Duck Goose. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hamster. Do come again."

"Just a minute," stuttered Mister Hamster crossly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Polar bear sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied slowly.