Mister Ape And The New Neighbor

Mister Ape lived in a pasture in a trailer made of walnut. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover banana split, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Mink standing there, his hands on his back. "How nice to see you, Mister Mink," Mister Ape cajoled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," scoffed Mister Mink. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" instructed Mister Ape violently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cambric tea?"

"I can't stay," brought up Mister Mink. I just want to ask you what you think of the crow that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," screamed Mister Ape. "I didn't know about any crow. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," exploded Mister Mink slowly. "I heard that this crow likes to choke saddles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mink, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pasture when we get a lot of crows choking saddles?"

"I can't imagine," croaked Mister Ape.

"What are we going to do about it?" exploded Mister Mink.

"Appoint a committee?" groaned Mister Ape, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mink had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," chattered Mister Ape delicately, 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 Mink fiercely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," lamented Mister Ape slyly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the safe on his front porch, looking out over the pasture and gesticulating. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mink. Do come again."

"Just a minute," proposed Mister Mink daringly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Ape sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied neatly.