Mister Crocodile And The New Neighbor

Mister Crocodile lived on a trail in a closet made of metal. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Bison standing there, his hands on his little toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Bison," Mister Crocodile howled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mouthed Mister Bison. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" acknowledged Mister Crocodile warmly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mountain Dew?"

"I can't stay," mused Mister Bison. I just want to ask you what you think of the cougar that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," exclaimed Mister Crocodile. "I didn't know about any cougar. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," insisted Mister Bison violently. "I heard that this cougar likes to hurl brochures."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bison, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of cougars hurling brochures?"

"I can't imagine," remarked Mister Crocodile.

"What are we going to do about it?" stated Mister Bison.

"Appoint a committee?" said Mister Crocodile, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bison had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," wondered Mister Crocodile lazily, 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 Bison flightily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," noted Mister Crocodile resignedly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on his front porch, looking out over the trail and flailing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bison. Do come again."

"Just a minute," smiled Mister Bison recklessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Crocodile sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied intensely.