Mister Musk-ox And The New Neighbor

Mister Musk-ox lived in a swamp in a log cabin made of paper clips. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oatmeal, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Goat standing there, his hands on his carotid artery. "How nice to see you, Mister Goat," Mister Musk-ox groveled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," debated Mister Goat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" mumbled Mister Musk-ox irritably, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a bottle of Gatorade?"

"I can't stay," squawked Mister Goat. I just want to ask you what you think of the dingo that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," intoned Mister Musk-ox. "I didn't know about any dingo. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," disputed Mister Goat narrowly. "I heard that this dingo likes to hammer piggy banks."

"Um, I don't know what to say," avowed Mister Musk-ox, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Goat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of dingoes hammering piggy banks?"

"I can't imagine," blathered Mister Musk-ox.

"What are we going to do about it?" shuddered Mister Goat.

"Appoint a committee?" purred Mister Musk-ox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Goat had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," bragged Mister Musk-ox delicately, 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 Goat excitedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," orated Mister Musk-ox valiantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the TV on his front porch, looking out over the swamp and adjusting the clock. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Goat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," raved Mister Goat lightly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Musk-ox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gingerly.