Mister Horse And The New Neighbor

Mister Horse lived on a veld in a tent made of taffy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover catfish stew, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Boar standing there, his hands on his hairdo. "How nice to see you, Mister Boar," Mister Horse lamented, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," sighed Mister Boar. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" retorted Mister Horse automatically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Shirley Temple?"

"I can't stay," inquired Mister Boar. I just want to ask you what you think of the bumblebee that's come to the veld.

"I really don't know," moaned Mister Horse. "I didn't know about any bumblebee. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," warbled Mister Boar cunningly. "I heard that this bumblebee likes to tickle antennas."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Boar, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the veld when we get a lot of bumblebees tickling antennas?"

"I can't imagine," exclaimed Mister Horse.

"What are we going to do about it?" answered Mister Boar.

"Appoint a committee?" snarled Mister Horse, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Boar had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," mentioned Mister Horse fiercely, 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 Boar admiringly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," sniped Mister Horse properly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the umbrella stand on his front porch, looking out over the veld and rolling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Boar. Do come again."

"Just a minute," joked Mister Boar gently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Horse sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied awkwardly.