Mister Llama And The New Neighbor

Mister Llama lived in a neighborhood in a barracks made of aluminum foil. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pancakes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Prairie dog standing there, his hands on his shoulder. "How nice to see you, Mister Prairie dog," Mister Llama implored, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," wondered Mister Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hummed Mister Llama firmly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," professed Mister Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the parrot that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," screeched Mister Llama. "I didn't know about any parrot. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," called Mister Prairie dog madly. "I heard that this parrot likes to modify ashtrays."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Prairie dog, 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 parrots modifying ashtrays?"

"I can't imagine," spoke up Mister Llama.

"What are we going to do about it?" phrased Mister Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" disputed Mister Llama, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Prairie dog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Prairie dog pitifully. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," hinted Mister Llama softly, 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 Prairie dog sourly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," sputtered Mister Llama sharply, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cushion on his front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and sneering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Prairie dog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," affirmed Mister Prairie dog slowly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Llama sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied silently.