Mister Dolphin And The New Neighbor

Mister Dolphin lived on a plateau in a retreat made of burlap. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ravioli, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Horse standing there, his hands on his front tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Horse," Mister Dolphin breathed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," explained Mister Horse. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" announced Mister Dolphin stupidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of KoolAid?"

"I can't stay," spouted Mister Horse. I just want to ask you what you think of the pig that's come to the plateau.

"I really don't know," sniped Mister Dolphin. "I didn't know about any pig. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mentioned Mister Horse daintily. "I heard that this pig likes to describe fishing poles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Horse, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plateau when we get a lot of pigs describing fishing poles?"

"I can't imagine," ranted Mister Dolphin.

"What are we going to do about it?" yowled Mister Horse.

"Appoint a committee?" mumbled Mister Dolphin, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Horse had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," prattled Mister Dolphin cruelly, 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 Horse greedily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," vouched Mister Dolphin needlessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the sofa on his front porch, looking out over the plateau and jiggling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Horse. Do come again."

"Just a minute," avowed Mister Horse arrogantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dolphin sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied hopefully.