Mister Kangaroo And The New Neighbor

Mister Kangaroo lived in a treetop in a ranch house made of lead. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast Cornish game hen, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Buzzard standing there, his hands on his big toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Buzzard," Mister Kangaroo smirked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," interpreted Mister Buzzard. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" revealed Mister Kangaroo sympathetically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Tom and Jerry?"

"I can't stay," rebutted Mister Buzzard. I just want to ask you what you think of the llama that's come to the treetop.

"I really don't know," said Mister Kangaroo. "I didn't know about any llama. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," commented Mister Buzzard slyly. "I heard that this llama likes to pick duffel bags."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Buzzard, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the treetop when we get a lot of llamas picking duffel bags?"

"I can't imagine," contended Mister Kangaroo.

"What are we going to do about it?" observed Mister Buzzard.

"Appoint a committee?" intoned Mister Kangaroo, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Buzzard had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," asked Mister Kangaroo steadily, 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 Buzzard roughly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," decided Mister Kangaroo haughtily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on his front porch, looking out over the treetop and dawdling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Buzzard. Do come again."

"Just a minute," smiled Mister Buzzard crossly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Kangaroo sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied miserably.