Mister Tiger And The New Neighbor

Mister Tiger lived in a pond in a chateau made of limestone. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cookies, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Ox standing there, her hands on her appendix. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Ox," Mister Tiger sniffed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," interrupted Mrs. Ox. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" began Mister Tiger dolefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of whiskey?"

"I can't stay," blubbered Mrs. Ox. I just want to ask you what you think of the bunny that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," invited Mister Tiger. "I didn't know about any bunny. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," proposed Mrs. Ox glibly. "I heard that this bunny likes to watch soccer balls."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Ox, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of bunnies watching soccer balls?"

"I can't imagine," giggled Mister Tiger.

"What are we going to do about it?" joked Mrs. Ox.

"Appoint a committee?" groveled Mister Tiger, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Ox had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," raved Mister Tiger charmingly, 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. Ox suavely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," taunted Mister Tiger happily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the nightstand on his front porch, looking out over the pond and getting along. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Ox. Do come again."

"Just a minute," clarified Mrs. Ox effortlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Tiger sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied courteously.