Miss Tarantula And The New Neighbor

Miss Tarantula lived in a circus tent in an apartment made of rock. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oatmeal, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Duck-billed platypus standing there, his hands on his claw. "How nice to see you, Mister Duck-billed platypus," Miss Tarantula mumbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," screamed Mister Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" wept Miss Tarantula sourly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of Sanka?"

"I can't stay," pronounced Mister Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the manatee that's come to the circus tent.

"I really don't know," blathered Miss Tarantula. "I didn't know about any manatee. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," urged Mister Duck-billed platypus frantically. "I heard that this manatee likes to bake Lego sets."

"Um, I don't know what to say," wailed Miss Tarantula, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Duck-billed platypus, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the circus tent when we get a lot of manatees baking Lego sets?"

"I can't imagine," chanted Miss Tarantula.

"What are we going to do about it?" purred Mister Duck-billed platypus.

"Appoint a committee?" raved Miss Tarantula, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Duck-billed platypus had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Duck-billed platypus excitedly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," affirmed Miss Tarantula stupidly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Duck-billed platypus joyously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," jeered Miss Tarantula dolorously, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the workbench on her front porch, looking out over the circus tent and passing out. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

"Just a minute," concluded Mister Duck-billed platypus bravely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Tarantula thought she had answered, and was beginning to get weary. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Duck-billed platypus doing these days?"

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

Miss Tarantula sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied gracefully.