Mister Spider And The New Neighbor

Mister Spider lived beside a creek in a retreat made of papier-mâché. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bread and butter, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Lemur standing there, his hands on his thyroid gland. "How nice to see you, Mister Lemur," Mister Spider scoffed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," pointed out Mister Lemur. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" voiced Mister Spider stupidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an old fashioned?"

"I can't stay," prattled Mister Lemur. I just want to ask you what you think of the mouse that's come to the creek.

"I really don't know," spat Mister Spider. "I didn't know about any mouse. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," affirmed Mister Lemur kindly. "I heard that this mouse likes to stash umbrellas."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Lemur, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the creek when we get a lot of mice stashing umbrellas?"

"I can't imagine," sobbed Mister Spider.

"What are we going to do about it?" shouted Mister Lemur.

"Appoint a committee?" requested Mister Spider, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Lemur had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," scoffed Mister Spider roughly, 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 Lemur properly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," tittered Mister Spider defiantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the china hutch on his front porch, looking out over the creek and dancing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Lemur. Do come again."

"Just a minute," demanded Mister Lemur diligently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Spider sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sarcastically.