Mister Oyster And The New Neighbor

Mister Oyster lived in a jungle in a villa made of straw. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Prairie dog standing there, his hands on his funny bone. "How nice to see you, Mister Prairie dog," Mister Oyster requested, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," blurted Mister Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" lectured Mister Oyster slyly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of milk?"

"I can't stay," pleaded Mister Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the lark that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," phrased Mister Oyster. "I didn't know about any lark. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mouthed Mister Prairie dog curiously. "I heard that this lark likes to patch pails."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Prairie dog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the jungle when we get a lot of larks patching pails?"

"I can't imagine," warbled Mister Oyster.

"What are we going to do about it?" analyzed Mister Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" hinted Mister Oyster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Prairie dog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Prairie dog defiantly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," sniveled Mister Oyster boisterously, 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 Prairie dog positively. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," stuttered Mister Oyster gruffly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the couch on his front porch, looking out over the jungle and scribbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Prairie dog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," debated Mister Prairie dog positively. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Oyster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied flightily.