Miss Gecko And The New Neighbor

Miss Gecko lived in a meadow in a villa made of deer hide. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover French fries, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Rooster standing there, her hands on her tooth. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Rooster," Miss Gecko quavered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," taunted Mrs. Rooster. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" analyzed Miss Gecko irritably, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin and tonic?"

"I can't stay," emphasized Mrs. Rooster. I just want to ask you what you think of the gorilla that's come to the meadow.

"I really don't know," debated Miss Gecko. "I didn't know about any gorilla. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," whispered Mrs. Rooster ignobly. "I heard that this gorilla likes to kiss duffel bags."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Rooster, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the meadow when we get a lot of gorillas kissing duffel bags?"

"I can't imagine," stammered Miss Gecko.

"What are we going to do about it?" sobbed Mrs. Rooster.

"Appoint a committee?" informed Miss Gecko, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Rooster had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Rooster sheepishly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," mused Miss Gecko unabashedly, 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 Mrs. Rooster miserably. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," moaned Miss Gecko strangely, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the dresser on her front porch, looking out over the meadow and daydreaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Rooster. Do come again."

"Just a minute," continued Mrs. Rooster ignobly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Gecko sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied wearily.