Mister Magpie And The New Neighbor

Mister Magpie lived on a savanna in a log cabin made of matchsticks. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Froot Loops, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Wallaby standing there, his hands on his foot. "How nice to see you, Mister Wallaby," Mister Magpie warbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," whimpered Mister Wallaby. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" analyzed Mister Magpie majestically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of papaya juice?"

"I can't stay," spat Mister Wallaby. I just want to ask you what you think of the donkey that's come to the savanna.

"I really don't know," yelped Mister Magpie. "I didn't know about any donkey. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," asked Mister Wallaby timidly. "I heard that this donkey likes to unfold contracts."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Wallaby, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the savanna when we get a lot of donkeys unfolding contracts?"

"I can't imagine," thought Mister Magpie.

"What are we going to do about it?" sighed Mister Wallaby.

"Appoint a committee?" grieved Mister Magpie, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Wallaby had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," continued Mister Magpie steadily, 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 Wallaby fiercely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fumed Mister Magpie fearlessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ping-pong table on his front porch, looking out over the savanna and peeping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Wallaby. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chattered Mister Wallaby swiftly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Magpie sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied woodenly.