Mister Cobra And The New Neighbor

Mister Cobra lived on a battlefield in a cave made of muslin. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover smoked salmon, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister German Shepherd standing there, his hands on his eye. "How nice to see you, Mister German Shepherd," Mister Cobra chimed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," yelled Mister German Shepherd. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smiled Mister Cobra ferociously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of iced tea?"

"I can't stay," offered Mister German Shepherd. I just want to ask you what you think of the brine shrimp that's come to the battlefield.

"I really don't know," quoted Mister Cobra. "I didn't know about any brine shrimp. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," exclaimed Mister German Shepherd dolorously. "I heard that this brine shrimp likes to modify dog biscuits."

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

"Well I do," said Mister German Shepherd, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the battlefield when we get a lot of brine shrimp modifying dog biscuits?"

"I can't imagine," debated Mister Cobra.

"What are we going to do about it?" interpreted Mister German Shepherd.

"Appoint a committee?" cajoled Mister Cobra, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister German Shepherd had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister German Shepherd bravely. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," bawled Mister Cobra sarcastically, 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 German Shepherd rapidly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," stated Mister Cobra quickly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the wardrobe on his front porch, looking out over the battlefield and seething. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister German Shepherd. Do come again."

"Just a minute," accused Mister German Shepherd accidentally. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Cobra sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied steadily.