Mister Fish And The New Neighbor

Mister Fish lived in a meadow in a palace made of seashells. 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 sneaked to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

He was surprised to see Mister Wallaby standing there, his hands on his toupee. "How nice to see you, Mister Wallaby," Mister Fish mused, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," cajoled Mister Wallaby. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" rambled Mister Fish dolefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mai Tai?"

"I can't stay," enunciated Mister Wallaby. I just want to ask you what you think of the falcon that's come to the meadow.

"I really don't know," admitted Mister Fish. "I didn't know about any falcon. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," interrupted Mister Wallaby tenderly. "I heard that this falcon likes to fold purses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Wallaby, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the meadow when we get a lot of falcons folding purses?"

"I can't imagine," urged Mister Fish.

"What are we going to do about it?" bellowed Mister Wallaby.

"Appoint a committee?" provoked Mister Fish, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Wallaby had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," phrased Mister Fish perkily, 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 Wallaby grandly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," alleged Mister Fish immediately, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the buffet on his front porch, looking out over the meadow and lounging. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Wallaby. Do come again."

"Just a minute," cajoled Mister Wallaby victoriously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Fish sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied ruefully.