Mister Puppy And The New Neighbor

Mister Puppy lived in a housing development in a motor home made of Saran Wrap. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover scrambled eggs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hyena standing there, his hands on his ego. "How nice to see you, Mister Hyena," Mister Puppy yawned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," tittered Mister Hyena. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" chuckled Mister Puppy stupidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a chocolate milk?"

"I can't stay," expressed Mister Hyena. I just want to ask you what you think of the raccoon that's come to the housing development.

"I really don't know," clarified Mister Puppy. "I didn't know about any raccoon. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sniveled Mister Hyena flightily. "I heard that this raccoon likes to whack cotton balls."

"Um, I don't know what to say," brought up Mister Puppy, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Hyena, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the housing development when we get a lot of raccoons whacking cotton balls?"

"I can't imagine," mentioned Mister Puppy.

"What are we going to do about it?" breathed Mister Hyena.

"Appoint a committee?" muttered Mister Puppy, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hyena had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," whimpered Mister Puppy crossly, 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 Hyena viciously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," blubbered Mister Puppy recklessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the piano on his front porch, looking out over the housing development and moaning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hyena. Do come again."

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

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

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

Mister Puppy sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sarcastically.