Miss Cow And The New Neighbor

Miss Cow lived in a gully in a mansion made of chewing gum. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ceviche, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Teddy bear standing there, her hands on her calf. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Teddy bear," Miss Cow screeched, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," quavered Mrs. Teddy bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" reminded Miss Cow deftly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of cocoa?"

"I can't stay," indicated Mrs. Teddy bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the toad that's come to the gully.

"I really don't know," tittered Miss Cow. "I didn't know about any toad. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," cajoled Mrs. Teddy bear courageously. "I heard that this toad likes to smell piggy banks."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Teddy bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the gully when we get a lot of toads smelling piggy banks?"

"I can't imagine," piped up Miss Cow.

"What are we going to do about it?" whimpered Mrs. Teddy bear.

"Appoint a committee?" informed Miss Cow, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Teddy bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Teddy bear calmly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," panted Miss Cow dubiously, 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. Teddy bear grimly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," interrupted Miss Cow silently, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the sofa on her front porch, looking out over the gully and exercising. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Teddy bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," insisted Mrs. Teddy bear vigorously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Cow sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied innocently.