Mister Wombat And The New Neighbor

Mister Wombat lived on a plateau in a KOA Kampground made of rock. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover tofu, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Puppy standing there, his hands on his forehead. "How nice to see you, Mister Puppy," Mister Wombat jeered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," expressed Mister Puppy. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" squeaked Mister Wombat lovingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a mint julep?"

"I can't stay," observed Mister Puppy. I just want to ask you what you think of the rabbit that's come to the plateau.

"I really don't know," chuckled Mister Wombat. "I didn't know about any rabbit. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," accused Mister Puppy languidly. "I heard that this rabbit likes to polish pipes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Puppy, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plateau when we get a lot of rabbits polishing pipes?"

"I can't imagine," warbled Mister Wombat.

"What are we going to do about it?" questioned Mister Puppy.

"Appoint a committee?" sniped Mister Wombat, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Puppy had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," reminded Mister Wombat positively, 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 Puppy patiently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," trumpeted Mister Wombat again, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pillow on his front porch, looking out over the plateau and fantasizing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Puppy. Do come again."

"Just a minute," preached Mister Puppy slowly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Wombat sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied patiently.