Mister Eagle And The New Neighbor

Mister Eagle lived in a jungle in a studio made of porcelain. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover squash blossom soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Mole standing there, his hands on his kneecap. "How nice to see you, Mister Mole," Mister Eagle mumbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," boomed Mister Mole. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" agreed Mister Eagle firmly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," informed Mister Mole. I just want to ask you what you think of the magpie that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," harangued Mister Eagle. "I didn't know about any magpie. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," railed Mister Mole woodenly. "I heard that this magpie likes to burn handkerchiefs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mole, 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 magpies burning handkerchiefs?"

"I can't imagine," quoted Mister Eagle.

"What are we going to do about it?" growled Mister Mole.

"Appoint a committee?" blathered Mister Eagle, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mole had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," asserted Mister Eagle despondently, 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 Mole dreamily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," swore Mister Eagle energetically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the carpet on his front porch, looking out over the jungle and slobbering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mole. Do come again."

"Just a minute," added Mister Mole crazily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Eagle sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied smoothly.