Mister Chipmunk And The New Neighbor

Mister Chipmunk lived in a rainforest in a church made of pipe cleaners. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover dry toast, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Prairie dog standing there, her hands on her arm. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Prairie dog," Mister Chipmunk reminded, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," declared Mrs. Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" decided Mister Chipmunk grudgingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of KoolAid?"

"I can't stay," scoffed Mrs. Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the whale that's come to the rainforest.

"I really don't know," swore Mister Chipmunk. "I didn't know about any whale. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," chuckled Mrs. Prairie dog crossly. "I heard that this whale likes to slash pens."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Prairie dog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the rainforest when we get a lot of whales slashing pens?"

"I can't imagine," decided Mister Chipmunk.

"What are we going to do about it?" bellowed Mrs. Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" interpreted Mister Chipmunk, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Prairie dog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exclaimed Mister Chipmunk kindly, 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. Prairie dog shyly. "You always have such good ideas."

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

"Just a minute," added Mrs. Prairie dog slowly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Chipmunk sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied warmly.