Mister Salamander And The New Neighbor

Mister Salamander lived in a country meadow in an apartment made of adobe. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cookies, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Polar bear standing there, his hands on his shin. "How nice to see you, Mister Polar bear," Mister Salamander hissed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," urged Mister Polar bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" exclaimed Mister Salamander sharply, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of tequila?"

"I can't stay," vowed Mister Polar bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the pelican that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," shuddered Mister Salamander. "I didn't know about any pelican. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sniped Mister Polar bear boisterously. "I heard that this pelican likes to chisel rulers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Polar bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of pelicans chiseling rulers?"

"I can't imagine," demanded Mister Salamander.

"What are we going to do about it?" revealed Mister Polar bear.

"Appoint a committee?" spewed Mister Salamander, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Polar bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Polar bear strictly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," commented Mister Salamander despondently, 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 Polar bear hastily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wondered Mister Salamander roughly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the footstool on his front porch, looking out over the country meadow and preaching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Polar bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," declared Mister Polar bear swiftly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Salamander sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied brashly.