Mister Mole And The New Neighbor

Mister Mole lived on an island in a treehouse made of silk. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover catfish stew, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Ring-tailed lemur standing there, his hands on his eyebrow. "How nice to see you, Mister Ring-tailed lemur," Mister Mole pointed out, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," muttered Mister Ring-tailed lemur. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" boasted Mister Mole stealthily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of bourbon?"

"I can't stay," queried Mister Ring-tailed lemur. I just want to ask you what you think of the gazelle that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," hollered Mister Mole. "I didn't know about any gazelle. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," shuddered Mister Ring-tailed lemur quickly. "I heard that this gazelle likes to extend stuffed bunnies."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Ring-tailed lemur, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the island when we get a lot of gazelles extending stuffed bunnies?"

"I can't imagine," rebutted Mister Mole.

"What are we going to do about it?" murmured Mister Ring-tailed lemur.

"Appoint a committee?" vouched Mister Mole, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Ring-tailed lemur had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Ring-tailed lemur greedily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," squawked Mister Mole proudly, 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 Ring-tailed lemur lamely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," expressed Mister Mole wearily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the mattress on his front porch, looking out over the island and shrugging. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Ring-tailed lemur. Do come again."

"Just a minute," taunted Mister Ring-tailed lemur pitifully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Mole sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gracefully.