Mister Snake And The New Neighbor

Mister Snake lived on a savanna in a cave made of candy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lime sherbet, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" raved Mister Snake suspiciously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"I can't stay," repeated Mrs. Otter. I just want to ask you what you think of the Norway rat that's come to the savanna.

"I really don't know," warbled Mister Snake. "I didn't know about any Norway rat. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," screamed Mrs. Otter firmly. "I heard that this Norway rat likes to categorize Band-aids."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Otter, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the savanna when we get a lot of Norway rats categorizing Band-aids?"

"I can't imagine," yelped Mister Snake.

"What are we going to do about it?" winked Mrs. Otter.

"Appoint a committee?" voiced Mister Snake, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Otter had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," laughed Mister Snake ignobly, 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. Otter lovingly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," scoffed Mister Snake solemnly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pillow on his front porch, looking out over the savanna and looking smart. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Otter. Do come again."

"Just a minute," bellowed Mrs. Otter humbly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Snake sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied curiously.