Mister Frog And The New Neighbor

Mister Frog lived in a canyon in a geodesic dome made of old rags. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover strawberry shortcake, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Chimpanzee standing there, her hands on her toe. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Chimpanzee," Mister Frog questioned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," decided Mrs. Chimpanzee. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" urged Mister Frog unabashedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of milk?"

"I can't stay," wept Mrs. Chimpanzee. I just want to ask you what you think of the Siamese cat that's come to the canyon.

"I really don't know," blubbered Mister Frog. "I didn't know about any Siamese cat. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," clarified Mrs. Chimpanzee recklessly. "I heard that this Siamese cat likes to recognize pairs of headphones."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Chimpanzee, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the canyon when we get a lot of Siamese cats recognizing pairs of headphones?"

"I can't imagine," rumored Mister Frog.

"What are we going to do about it?" preached Mrs. Chimpanzee.

"Appoint a committee?" pronounced Mister Frog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Chimpanzee had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Chimpanzee ignobly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," howled Mister Frog sharply, 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 Mrs. Chimpanzee charmingly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," stormed Mister Frog reluctantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bed on his front porch, looking out over the canyon and winking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Chimpanzee. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chuckled Mrs. Chimpanzee lightly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Frog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sternly.