Miss Dinosaur And The New Neighbor

Miss Dinosaur lived at an oasis in an igloo made of leaves and twigs. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Cheerios, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Nightingale standing there, his hands on his back. "How nice to see you, Mister Nightingale," Miss Dinosaur swore, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," smirked Mister Nightingale. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" intimated Miss Dinosaur majestically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of tequila?"

"I can't stay," provoked Mister Nightingale. I just want to ask you what you think of the anteater that's come to the oasis.

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

"Well don't be so sure," boomed Mister Nightingale energetically. "I heard that this anteater likes to box cupcakes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Nightingale, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the oasis when we get a lot of anteaters boxing cupcakes?"

"I can't imagine," imitated Miss Dinosaur.

"What are we going to do about it?" avowed Mister Nightingale.

"Appoint a committee?" howled Miss Dinosaur, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Nightingale had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," contended Miss Dinosaur flightily, 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 Nightingale oddly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," screamed Miss Dinosaur grudgingly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the rug on her front porch, looking out over the oasis and chortling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Nightingale. Do come again."

"Just a minute," indicated Mister Nightingale strangely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Dinosaur sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sarcastically.