Miss Toad And The New Neighbor

Miss Toad lived in an arroyo in an A-frame made of Velcro. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pot roast, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Whale standing there, his hands on his mouth. "How nice to see you, Mister Whale," Miss Toad croaked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," interpreted Mister Whale. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" emphasized Miss Toad effortlessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Manhattan?"

"I can't stay," swore Mister Whale. I just want to ask you what you think of the cat that's come to the arroyo.

"I really don't know," provoked Miss Toad. "I didn't know about any cat. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," reacted Mister Whale confidently. "I heard that this cat likes to analyze cupcakes."

"Um, I don't know what to say," blubbered Miss Toad, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Whale, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the arroyo when we get a lot of cats analyzing cupcakes?"

"I can't imagine," chattered Miss Toad.

"What are we going to do about it?" fumed Mister Whale.

"Appoint a committee?" commented Miss Toad, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Whale had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," reminded Miss Toad dreamily, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Whale suddenly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," clarified Miss Toad speedily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on her front porch, looking out over the arroyo and humming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Whale. Do come again."

"Just a minute," uttered Mister Whale softly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Toad thought she had answered, and was beginning to get sarcastic. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Whale doing these days?"

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

Miss Toad sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied shyly.