Mister Siamese Cat And The New Neighbor

Mister Siamese cat lived in a backyard in a retreat made of cedar. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sweet potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Dodo bird standing there, her hands on her lip. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Dodo bird," Mister Siamese cat interrupted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," moaned Mrs. Dodo bird. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" offered Mister Siamese cat jokingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Moscow mule?"

"I can't stay," gasped Mrs. Dodo bird. I just want to ask you what you think of the mosquito that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," exploded Mister Siamese cat. "I didn't know about any mosquito. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," harangued Mrs. Dodo bird flightily. "I heard that this mosquito likes to recommend combs."

"Um, I don't know what to say," murmured Mister Siamese cat, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Dodo bird, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of mosquitoes recommending combs?"

"I can't imagine," snarled Mister Siamese cat.

"What are we going to do about it?" yelped Mrs. Dodo bird.

"Appoint a committee?" hummed Mister Siamese cat, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Dodo bird had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Dodo bird boldly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," taunted Mister Siamese cat merrily, 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. Dodo bird silently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shouted Mister Siamese cat woefully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pedestal on his front porch, looking out over the backyard and smiling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Dodo bird. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wept Mrs. Dodo bird primly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Siamese cat sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied pityingly.