Mister Jackal And The New Neighbor

Mister Jackal lived in a buffalo wallow in a chalet made of straw. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lamb curry, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Dodo bird standing there, his hands on his tongue. "How nice to see you, Mister Dodo bird," Mister Jackal warbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," tittered Mister Dodo bird. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" interpreted Mister Jackal carefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a fruit smoothie?"

"I can't stay," questioned Mister Dodo bird. I just want to ask you what you think of the cocker spaniel that's come to the buffalo wallow.

"I really don't know," blustered Mister Jackal. "I didn't know about any cocker spaniel. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," rumored Mister Dodo bird energetically. "I heard that this cocker spaniel likes to label paperclips."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Dodo bird, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the buffalo wallow when we get a lot of cocker spaniels labeling paperclips?"

"I can't imagine," emphasized Mister Jackal.

"What are we going to do about it?" thought Mister Dodo bird.

"Appoint a committee?" protested Mister Jackal, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dodo bird had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Dodo bird perkily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," debated Mister Jackal craftily, 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 Dodo bird fervently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," roared Mister Jackal speedily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the card table on his front porch, looking out over the buffalo wallow and standing by. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dodo bird. Do come again."

"Just a minute," enunciated Mister Dodo bird gleefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Jackal sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied peevishly.