Miss Owl And The New Neighbor

Miss Owl lived in a neighborhood in a subway tunnel made of gingerbread. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover refried beans, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Unicorn standing there, his hands on his midriff. "How nice to see you, Mister Unicorn," Miss Owl quoted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," reasoned Mister Unicorn. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hissed Miss Owl strangely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of orange juice?"

"I can't stay," rebutted Mister Unicorn. I just want to ask you what you think of the hog that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," opined Miss Owl. "I didn't know about any hog. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," railed Mister Unicorn greedily. "I heard that this hog likes to load coupons."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Unicorn, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of hogs loading coupons?"

"I can't imagine," fumed Miss Owl.

"What are we going to do about it?" queried Mister Unicorn.

"Appoint a committee?" observed Miss Owl, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Unicorn had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," thought Miss Owl trustingly, 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 Unicorn sourly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," hissed Miss Owl stupidly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on her front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and inhaling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Unicorn. Do come again."

"Just a minute," blurted Mister Unicorn zestily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Owl sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied humbly.