Miss Ring-tailed Lemur And The New Neighbor

Miss Ring-tailed lemur lived at a seashore in a flat made of lumber. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover popcorn, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Pheasant standing there, her hands on her toenail. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Pheasant," Miss Ring-tailed lemur stated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," intoned Mrs. Pheasant. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" boasted Miss Ring-tailed lemur sweetly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of eggnog?"

"I can't stay," remarked Mrs. Pheasant. I just want to ask you what you think of the falcon that's come to the seashore.

"I really don't know," squeaked Miss Ring-tailed lemur. "I didn't know about any falcon. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," inquired Mrs. Pheasant calmly. "I heard that this falcon likes to strengthen toilet seats."

"Um, I don't know what to say," bawled Miss Ring-tailed lemur, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Pheasant, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seashore when we get a lot of falcons strengthening toilet seats?"

"I can't imagine," recited Miss Ring-tailed lemur.

"What are we going to do about it?" reminded Mrs. Pheasant.

"Appoint a committee?" shrieked Miss Ring-tailed lemur, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Pheasant had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," intimated Miss Ring-tailed lemur anxiously, 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. Pheasant arrogantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shouted Miss Ring-tailed lemur fiercely, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the pillow on her front porch, looking out over the seashore and crouching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Pheasant. Do come again."

"Just a minute," imitated Mrs. Pheasant nonchalantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Ring-tailed lemur thought she had answered, and was beginning to get attractive. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Pheasant doing these days?"

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

Miss Ring-tailed lemur sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied zestily.