Miss Hedgehog And The New Neighbor

Miss Hedgehog lived on a mountain in a hovel made of ceramic. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fried chicken, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bear standing there, his hands on his pride. "How nice to see you, Mister Bear," Miss Hedgehog roared, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," boasted Mister Bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" queried Miss Hedgehog again, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Irish Coffee?"

"I can't stay," nattered Mister Bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the fish that's come to the mountain.

"I really don't know," mouthed Miss Hedgehog. "I didn't know about any fish. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smirked Mister Bear blindly. "I heard that this fish likes to seal orchids."

"Um, I don't know what to say," snorted Miss Hedgehog, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the mountain when we get a lot of fish sealing orchids?"

"I can't imagine," demanded Miss Hedgehog.

"What are we going to do about it?" chuckled Mister Bear.

"Appoint a committee?" yowled Miss Hedgehog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bear had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," avowed Miss Hedgehog arrogantly, 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 Mister Bear tearfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," swore Miss Hedgehog flightily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the pool table on her front porch, looking out over the mountain and partying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," babbled Mister Bear sympathetically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Hedgehog thought she had answered, and was beginning to get brave. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Bear doing these days?"

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

Miss Hedgehog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied daringly.