Mister Bullfrog And The New Neighbor

Mister Bullfrog lived on a steppe in a closet made of linoleum. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover burritos, 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 Gopher standing there, his hands on his tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Gopher," Mister Bullfrog griped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," instructed Mister Gopher. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" conversed Mister Bullfrog nonchalantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of Kool-Aid?"

"I can't stay," recited Mister Gopher. I just want to ask you what you think of the tiger that's come to the steppe.

"I really don't know," burbled Mister Bullfrog. "I didn't know about any tiger. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," phrased Mister Gopher dreamily. "I heard that this tiger likes to experience muffins."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gopher, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the steppe when we get a lot of tigers experiencing muffins?"

"I can't imagine," persisted Mister Bullfrog.

"What are we going to do about it?" demanded Mister Gopher.

"Appoint a committee?" said Mister Bullfrog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gopher had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," panted Mister Bullfrog tearfully, 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 Gopher calmly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," nattered Mister Bullfrog arrogantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bookcase on his front porch, looking out over the steppe and thinking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gopher. Do come again."

"Just a minute," vowed Mister Gopher pitifully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Bullfrog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied silently.