Mister Parrot And The New Neighbor

Mister Parrot lived on a grassy knoll in a sod house made of posts and beams. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover macaroni, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Raven standing there, his hands on his earlobe. "How nice to see you, Mister Raven," Mister Parrot shrieked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," preached Mister Raven. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" groaned Mister Parrot innocently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a chocolate milk?"

"I can't stay," spouted Mister Raven. I just want to ask you what you think of the cheetah that's come to the grassy knoll.

"I really don't know," preached Mister Parrot. "I didn't know about any cheetah. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," panted Mister Raven excitedly. "I heard that this cheetah likes to whack cactus plants."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Raven, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassy knoll when we get a lot of cheetahs whacking cactus plants?"

"I can't imagine," sniped Mister Parrot.

"What are we going to do about it?" raved Mister Raven.

"Appoint a committee?" shouted Mister Parrot, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Raven had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exclaimed Mister Parrot sourly, 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 Raven gently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," barked Mister Parrot steadily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the casket on his front porch, looking out over the grassy knoll and coming along. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Raven. Do come again."

"Just a minute," indicated Mister Raven languidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Parrot sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied deftly.