Mister Pony And The New Neighbor

Mister Pony lived on a trail in a yurt made of cast iron. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lobster bisque, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hyena standing there, his hands on his paw. "How nice to see you, Mister Hyena," Mister Pony admitted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," argued Mister Hyena. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" piped up Mister Pony hungrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," yelled Mister Hyena. I just want to ask you what you think of the coyote that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," urged Mister Pony. "I didn't know about any coyote. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sniffed Mister Hyena slyly. "I heard that this coyote likes to smudge staplers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hyena, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of coyotes smudging staplers?"

"I can't imagine," reminded Mister Pony.

"What are we going to do about it?" sniped Mister Hyena.

"Appoint a committee?" articulated Mister Pony, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hyena had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," responded Mister Pony 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 Mister Hyena crossly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," observed Mister Pony nicely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the TV on his front porch, looking out over the trail and bawling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hyena. Do come again."

"Just a minute," disputed Mister Hyena suspiciously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pony sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gratefully.