Mister Ox And The New Neighbor

Mister Ox lived in a housing development in an igloo made of fabric. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Cobra standing there, her hands on her big toe. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Cobra," Mister Ox declaimed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sobbed Mrs. Cobra. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" shouted Mister Ox warmly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Coke?"

"I can't stay," imitated Mrs. Cobra. I just want to ask you what you think of the cockatiel that's come to the housing development.

"I really don't know," ranted Mister Ox. "I didn't know about any cockatiel. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," explained Mrs. Cobra quickly. "I heard that this cockatiel likes to bless saws."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Cobra, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the housing development when we get a lot of cockatiels blessing saws?"

"I can't imagine," appealed Mister Ox.

"What are we going to do about it?" piped up Mrs. Cobra.

"Appoint a committee?" wondered Mister Ox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Cobra had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Cobra violently. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," appealed Mister Ox effortlessly, 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 Mrs. Cobra dreamily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shuddered Mister Ox charmingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on his front porch, looking out over the housing development and cringing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Cobra. Do come again."

"Just a minute," uttered Mrs. Cobra gratefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Ox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied wearily.