Mister Dachshund And The New Neighbor

Mister Dachshund lived on a veld in a wikiup made of roots. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover potatoes and gravy, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Duck standing there, his hands on his bladder. "How nice to see you, Mister Duck," Mister Dachshund chattered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," agreed Mister Duck. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" exclaimed Mister Dachshund hopelessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a root beer?"

"I can't stay," explained Mister Duck. I just want to ask you what you think of the panda that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," hummed Mister Dachshund. "I didn't know about any panda. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smirked Mister Duck crankily. "I heard that this panda likes to swirl etchings."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Duck, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of pandas swirling etchings?"

"I can't imagine," harangued Mister Dachshund.

"What are we going to do about it?" scoffed Mister Duck.

"Appoint a committee?" clarified Mister Dachshund, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Duck had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," judged Mister Dachshund daringly, 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 Duck daringly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wondered Mister Dachshund swiftly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pedestal on his front porch, looking out over the veld and clapping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Duck. Do come again."

"Just a minute," groaned Mister Duck slyly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dachshund sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied proudly.