Mister Moose And The New Neighbor

Mister Moose lived in a bog in a closet made of feathers. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pancakes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Macaque standing there, his hands on his throat. "How nice to see you, Mister Macaque," Mister Moose asserted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," worried Mister Macaque. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" voiced Mister Moose sheepishly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Sangría?"

"I can't stay," inquired Mister Macaque. I just want to ask you what you think of the mule that's come to the bog.

"I really don't know," requested Mister Moose. "I didn't know about any mule. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," announced Mister Macaque tensely. "I heard that this mule likes to copy suitcases."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Macaque, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the bog when we get a lot of mules copying suitcases?"

"I can't imagine," complained Mister Moose.

"What are we going to do about it?" urged Mister Macaque.

"Appoint a committee?" guessed Mister Moose, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Macaque had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," warbled Mister Moose numbly, 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 Macaque bravely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," alleged Mister Moose dolefully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dishwasher on his front porch, looking out over the bog and chewing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Macaque. Do come again."

"Just a minute," asked Mister Macaque stealthily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Moose sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied dolefully.