Mister Camel And The New Neighbor

Mister Camel lived on a hill in a crypt made of Scotch tape. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lamb curry, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Banana slug standing there, his hands on his scalp. "How nice to see you, Mister Banana slug," Mister Camel wondered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," harangued Mister Banana slug. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" sniveled Mister Camel proudly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of buttermilk?"

"I can't stay," blathered Mister Banana slug. I just want to ask you what you think of the alligator that's come to the hill.

"I really don't know," whispered Mister Camel. "I didn't know about any alligator. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," groveled Mister Banana slug cheerfully. "I heard that this alligator likes to flatten padlocks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Banana slug, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the hill when we get a lot of alligators flattening padlocks?"

"I can't imagine," squawked Mister Camel.

"What are we going to do about it?" continued Mister Banana slug.

"Appoint a committee?" nattered Mister Camel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Banana slug had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Banana slug demurely. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," quavered Mister Camel swiftly, 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 Banana slug boldly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," laughed Mister Camel dreamily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the rug on his front porch, looking out over the hill and running. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Banana slug. Do come again."

"Just a minute," offered Mister Banana slug jokingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Camel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied fiercely.