Mister Mongoose And The New Neighbor

Mister Mongoose lived in a forest in a cardboard box made of ivory. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Gnu standing there, his hands on his shin. "How nice to see you, Mister Gnu," Mister Mongoose moaned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," muttered Mister Gnu. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" wailed Mister Mongoose carefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of wine?"

"I can't stay," recited Mister Gnu. I just want to ask you what you think of the llama that's come to the forest.

"I really don't know," announced Mister Mongoose. "I didn't know about any llama. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," imitated Mister Gnu automatically. "I heard that this llama likes to rock balloons."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gnu, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the forest when we get a lot of llamas rocking balloons?"

"I can't imagine," guessed Mister Mongoose.

"What are we going to do about it?" snarled Mister Gnu.

"Appoint a committee?" screeched Mister Mongoose, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gnu had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," simpered Mister Mongoose rapidly, 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 Gnu cheerfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," bawled Mister Mongoose fearlessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dresser on his front porch, looking out over the forest and grimacing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gnu. Do come again."

"Just a minute," affirmed Mister Gnu miserably. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Mongoose sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied shakily.