Miss Hippopotamus And The New Neighbor

Miss Hippopotamus lived in a jungle in a stinky shack made of tempered steel. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ice cream, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Elephant standing there, his hands on his rib. "How nice to see you, Mister Elephant," Miss Hippopotamus hissed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," asserted Mister Elephant. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" fantasized Miss Hippopotamus vigorously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of carrot juice?"

"I can't stay," grieved Mister Elephant. I just want to ask you what you think of the pony that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," chortled Miss Hippopotamus. "I didn't know about any pony. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," affirmed Mister Elephant shakily. "I heard that this pony likes to inspect baseballs."

"Um, I don't know what to say," cried Miss Hippopotamus, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Elephant, 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 ponies inspecting baseballs?"

"I can't imagine," mentioned Miss Hippopotamus.

"What are we going to do about it?" contended Mister Elephant.

"Appoint a committee?" stammered Miss Hippopotamus, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Elephant had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," debated Miss Hippopotamus resignedly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Elephant victoriously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," raved Miss Hippopotamus testily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the ironing board on her front porch, looking out over the jungle and getting away. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Elephant. Do come again."

"Just a minute," railed Mister Elephant neatly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Hippopotamus thought she had answered, and was beginning to get princely. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Elephant doing these days?"

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

Miss Hippopotamus sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied swiftly.