Mister Chameleon And The New Neighbor

Mister Chameleon lived in a meadow in a convent made of ribbons. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Swiss cheese, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" insisted Mister Chameleon queerly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," groaned Mister Eagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the dormouse that's come to the meadow.

"I really don't know," yawned Mister Chameleon. "I didn't know about any dormouse. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," hollered Mister Eagle elatedly. "I heard that this dormouse likes to get pink flamingoes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Eagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the meadow when we get a lot of dormice getting pink flamingoes?"

"I can't imagine," vowed Mister Chameleon.

"What are we going to do about it?" voiced Mister Eagle.

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," squawked Mister Chameleon gracefully, 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 Eagle demurely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," tittered Mister Chameleon shakily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the rocking chair on his front porch, looking out over the meadow and sighing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Eagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chanted Mister Eagle offhandedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Chameleon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied wildly.