Mister Puma And The New Neighbor

Mister Puma lived in a rainforest in a subway tunnel made of chalk. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mushroom quiche, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Swan standing there, his hands on his nose. "How nice to see you, Mister Swan," Mister Puma squealed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," scoffed Mister Swan. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" yawned Mister Puma tearfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot cider?"

"I can't stay," pointed out Mister Swan. I just want to ask you what you think of the fox that's come to the rainforest.

"I really don't know," lamented Mister Puma. "I didn't know about any fox. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," screamed Mister Swan crossly. "I heard that this fox likes to replace feather dusters."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Swan, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the rainforest when we get a lot of foxes replacing feather dusters?"

"I can't imagine," avowed Mister Puma.

"What are we going to do about it?" sniveled Mister Swan.

"Appoint a committee?" mentioned Mister Puma, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Swan had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," yawned Mister Puma lightly, 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 Swan irritably. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," orated Mister Puma doubtfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the rug on his front porch, looking out over the rainforest and lying around in bed. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Swan. Do come again."

"Just a minute," drawled Mister Swan boisterously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Puma sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gracefully.