Mister German Shepherd And The New Neighbor

Mister German Shepherd lived in a hayfield in a retreat made of cloth. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cinnamon toast, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Ant standing there, his hands on his knee. "How nice to see you, Mister Ant," Mister German Shepherd winked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," offered Mister Ant. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smirked Mister German Shepherd majestically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"I can't stay," mouthed Mister Ant. I just want to ask you what you think of the boar that's come to the hayfield.

"I really don't know," appealed Mister German Shepherd. "I didn't know about any boar. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," inquired Mister Ant confidently. "I heard that this boar likes to consider napkins."

"Um, I don't know what to say," recited Mister German Shepherd, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Ant, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the hayfield when we get a lot of boars considering napkins?"

"I can't imagine," begged Mister German Shepherd.

"What are we going to do about it?" giggled Mister Ant.

"Appoint a committee?" howled Mister German Shepherd, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Ant had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," boasted Mister German Shepherd victoriously, 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 Ant haughtily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," preached Mister German Shepherd brashly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on his front porch, looking out over the hayfield and vomiting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Ant. Do come again."

"Just a minute," appealed Mister Ant nimbly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister German Shepherd sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied quickly.