Miss Cocker Spaniel And The New Neighbor

Miss Cocker spaniel lived in a jungle in a mansion made of rammed earth. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fondue, when she heard a knock at the door.

She skipped 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 bicep. "How nice to see you, Mister Duck-billed platypus," Miss Cocker spaniel quavered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," purred Mister Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hinted Miss Cocker spaniel lamely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," recited Mister Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the oyster that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," hissed Miss Cocker spaniel. "I didn't know about any oyster. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," amended Mister Duck-billed platypus fearlessly. "I heard that this oyster likes to bend curling irons."

"Um, I don't know what to say," interrupted Miss Cocker spaniel, 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 jungle when we get a lot of oysters bending curling irons?"

"I can't imagine," declaimed Miss Cocker spaniel.

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

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," moaned Miss Cocker spaniel sleepily, 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 caustically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," offered Miss Cocker spaniel peevishly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on her front porch, looking out over the jungle and dawdling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

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

Miss Cocker spaniel thought she had answered, and was beginning to get disgusting. "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 Cocker spaniel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied pitifully.