Mister Koala And The New Neighbor

Mister Koala lived in a countryside in a KOA Kampground made of wax. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover refried beans, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Bullfrog standing there, her hands on her paw. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Bullfrog," Mister Koala blurted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," preached Mrs. Bullfrog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" persisted Mister Koala glumly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of water?"

"I can't stay," repeated Mrs. Bullfrog. I just want to ask you what you think of the tapeworm that's come to the countryside.

"I really don't know," chortled Mister Koala. "I didn't know about any tapeworm. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," judged Mrs. Bullfrog noisily. "I heard that this tapeworm likes to spray Egyptian mummies."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Bullfrog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the countryside when we get a lot of tapeworms spraying Egyptian mummies?"

"I can't imagine," concluded Mister Koala.

"What are we going to do about it?" concluded Mrs. Bullfrog.

"Appoint a committee?" blubbered Mister Koala, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Bullfrog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Bullfrog courteously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," intimated Mister Koala patiently, 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 Mrs. Bullfrog tearfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," smiled Mister Koala needlessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dining table on his front porch, looking out over the countryside and seething. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Bullfrog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," offered Mrs. Bullfrog reluctantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Koala sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied nervously.