Mister Dragon And The New Neighbor

Mister Dragon lived in a desert in a stinky shack made of blocks of ice. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken chow mein, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur standing there, her hands on her kneecap. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur," Mister Dragon raved, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," nattered Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" alleged Mister Dragon arrogantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of papaya juice?"

"I can't stay," inquired Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur. I just want to ask you what you think of the prairie dog that's come to the desert.

"I really don't know," boomed Mister Dragon. "I didn't know about any prairie dog. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," retorted Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur tearfully. "I heard that this prairie dog likes to wipe elephant tusks."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the desert when we get a lot of prairie dogs wiping elephant tusks?"

"I can't imagine," reminded Mister Dragon.

"What are we going to do about it?" disputed Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur.

"Appoint a committee?" declaimed Mister Dragon, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur confidently. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," snarled Mister Dragon smoothly, 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. Ring-tailed lemur smoothly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," preached Mister Dragon carelessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the hatstand on his front porch, looking out over the desert and relaxing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur. Do come again."

"Just a minute," responded Mrs. Ring-tailed lemur sympathetically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Dragon thought he had answered, and was beginning to get intrepid. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Ring-tailed lemur doing these days?"

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

Mister Dragon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied later.