Mister Lizard And The New Neighbor

Mister Lizard lived in a valley in a travel trailer made of dreams and visions. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" announced Mister Lizard noisily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of apple juice?"

"I can't stay," yowled Mister Seal. I just want to ask you what you think of the bumblebee that's come to the valley.

"I really don't know," shouted Mister Lizard. "I didn't know about any bumblebee. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," answered Mister Seal proudly. "I heard that this bumblebee likes to trim bird cages."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Seal, 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 bumblebees trimming bird cages?"

"I can't imagine," blubbered Mister Lizard.

"What are we going to do about it?" bawled Mister Seal.

"Appoint a committee?" amended Mister Lizard, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Seal had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," drawled Mister Lizard quietly, 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 Seal humbly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," offered Mister Lizard diligently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bunk bed on his front porch, looking out over the valley and snickering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Seal. Do come again."

"Just a minute," sobbed Mister Seal cruelly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Lizard sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied rapidly.