Mister Pig And The New Neighbor

Mister Pig lived in a gully in a spa made of oil and water. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover potatoes and gravy, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Wombat standing there, his hands on his bicep. "How nice to see you, Mister Wombat," Mister Pig retorted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," fretted Mister Wombat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" gasped Mister Pig brightly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a fruit smoothie?"

"I can't stay," avowed Mister Wombat. I just want to ask you what you think of the mink that's come to the gully.

"I really don't know," mused Mister Pig. "I didn't know about any mink. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," answered Mister Wombat fearfully. "I heard that this mink likes to unfasten pieces of chalk."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Wombat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the gully when we get a lot of minks unfastening pieces of chalk?"

"I can't imagine," screeched Mister Pig.

"What are we going to do about it?" announced Mister Wombat.

"Appoint a committee?" offered Mister Pig, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Wombat had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," requested Mister Pig tearfully, 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 Wombat haughtily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," crooned Mister Pig ignobly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the hope chest on his front porch, looking out over the gully and itching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Wombat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," burbled Mister Wombat lazily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pig sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied charmingly.