Mister Lynx And The New Neighbor

Mister Lynx lived on a plain in a farmhouse made of construction paper. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pumpkin pie, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Cockatiel standing there, his hands on his hoof. "How nice to see you, Mister Cockatiel," Mister Lynx wept, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," blustered Mister Cockatiel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" questioned Mister Lynx merrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot buttered rum?"

"I can't stay," quoted Mister Cockatiel. I just want to ask you what you think of the dormouse that's come to the plain.

"I really don't know," chortled Mister Lynx. "I didn't know about any dormouse. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," divulged Mister Cockatiel greedily. "I heard that this dormouse likes to bless toothbrushes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Cockatiel, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plain when we get a lot of dormice blessing toothbrushes?"

"I can't imagine," taunted Mister Lynx.

"What are we going to do about it?" smiled Mister Cockatiel.

"Appoint a committee?" continued Mister Lynx, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Cockatiel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," announced Mister Lynx excitedly, 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 Cockatiel haughtily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chimed Mister Lynx silently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cushion on his front porch, looking out over the plain and partying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cockatiel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," mentioned Mister Cockatiel excitedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Lynx sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied blankly.