Miss Mongoose And The New Neighbor

Miss Mongoose lived in a cesspool in a studio made of leaves and twigs. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ice cream, when she heard a knock at the door.

She sallied forth to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

She was surprised to see Mrs. Dodo bird standing there, her hands on her beard. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Dodo bird," Miss Mongoose fumed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," crooned Mrs. Dodo bird. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" lectured Miss Mongoose speedily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a daiquiri?"

"I can't stay," informed Mrs. Dodo bird. I just want to ask you what you think of the wombat that's come to the cesspool.

"I really don't know," remarked Miss Mongoose. "I didn't know about any wombat. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," vowed Mrs. Dodo bird daringly. "I heard that this wombat likes to neglect elephant tusks."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Dodo bird, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cesspool when we get a lot of wombats neglecting elephant tusks?"

"I can't imagine," simpered Miss Mongoose.

"What are we going to do about it?" maintained Mrs. Dodo bird.

"Appoint a committee?" mumbled Miss Mongoose, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Dodo bird had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Dodo bird hopefully. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," rebutted Miss Mongoose softly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mrs. Dodo bird sleepily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," indicated Miss Mongoose queerly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on her front porch, looking out over the cesspool and knitting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Dodo bird. Do come again."

"Just a minute," analyzed Mrs. Dodo bird humbly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Mongoose thought she had answered, and was beginning to get pesky. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Dodo bird doing these days?"

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

Miss Mongoose sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied properly.