Mister Hawk And The New Neighbor

Mister Hawk lived in a field in a duplex made of yarn. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover dry toast, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Jaguar standing there, his hands on his eyebrow. "How nice to see you, Mister Jaguar," Mister Hawk boasted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," snorted Mister Jaguar. "May I come in?"

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

"I can't stay," voiced Mister Jaguar. I just want to ask you what you think of the lizard that's come to the field.

"I really don't know," hinted Mister Hawk. "I didn't know about any lizard. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," burbled Mister Jaguar carelessly. "I heard that this lizard likes to hit saddles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Jaguar, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the field when we get a lot of lizards hitting saddles?"

"I can't imagine," explained Mister Hawk.

"What are we going to do about it?" burbled Mister Jaguar.

"Appoint a committee?" debated Mister Hawk, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Jaguar had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," laughed Mister Hawk wearily, 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 Jaguar perkily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," thought Mister Hawk awkwardly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the couch on his front porch, looking out over the field and staring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Jaguar. Do come again."

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

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

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

Mister Hawk sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied defiantly.