Mister Elephant And The New Neighbor

Mister Elephant lived in a swamp in a motel made of bamboo. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bonbons, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Rabbit standing there, her hands on her spine. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Rabbit," Mister Elephant vowed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," drawled Mrs. Rabbit. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" grunted Mister Elephant arrogantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin fizz?"

"I can't stay," informed Mrs. Rabbit. I just want to ask you what you think of the boa constrictor that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," thought Mister Elephant. "I didn't know about any boa constrictor. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," drawled Mrs. Rabbit effortlessly. "I heard that this boa constrictor likes to scrub statues."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Rabbit, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of boa constrictors scrubbing statues?"

"I can't imagine," snorted Mister Elephant.

"What are we going to do about it?" explained Mrs. Rabbit.

"Appoint a committee?" observed Mister Elephant, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Rabbit had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Rabbit delicately. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," answered Mister Elephant violently, 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 Mrs. Rabbit warmly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," drawled Mister Elephant trustingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on his front porch, looking out over the swamp and barfing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Rabbit. Do come again."

"Just a minute," warbled Mrs. Rabbit suspiciously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Elephant sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sharply.