Mister Raven And The New Neighbor

Mister Raven lived in a grassland in a convent made of wire. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover beans, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Polar bear standing there, his hands on his artery. "How nice to see you, Mister Polar bear," Mister Raven repeated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," whispered Mister Polar bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" blurted Mister Raven repeatedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a chamomile tea?"

"I can't stay," hinted Mister Polar bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the brine shrimp that's come to the grassland.

"I really don't know," remarked Mister Raven. "I didn't know about any brine shrimp. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," moaned Mister Polar bear tearfully. "I heard that this brine shrimp likes to handle candy canes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Polar bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassland when we get a lot of brine shrimp handling candy canes?"

"I can't imagine," groaned Mister Raven.

"What are we going to do about it?" fantasized Mister Polar bear.

"Appoint a committee?" brought up Mister Raven, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Polar bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Polar bear warily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," intoned Mister Raven hastily, 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 Polar bear languidly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," began Mister Raven immediately, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the carpet on his front porch, looking out over the grassland and muttering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Polar bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," nattered Mister Polar bear lovingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Raven sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied cunningly.