Mister Cobra And The New Neighbor

Mister Cobra lived on an island in a church made of old rags. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover macaroni and cheese, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Jellyfish standing there, his hands on his gall bladder. "How nice to see you, Mister Jellyfish," Mister Cobra imitated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mused Mister Jellyfish. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" squawked Mister Cobra charmingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mountain Dew?"

"I can't stay," groaned Mister Jellyfish. I just want to ask you what you think of the bird that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," contended Mister Cobra. "I didn't know about any bird. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," laughed Mister Jellyfish noisily. "I heard that this bird likes to develop plaques."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Jellyfish, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the island when we get a lot of birds developing plaques?"

"I can't imagine," provoked Mister Cobra.

"What are we going to do about it?" quavered Mister Jellyfish.

"Appoint a committee?" remarked Mister Cobra, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Jellyfish had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," prattled Mister Cobra greedily, 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 Jellyfish sternly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," avowed Mister Cobra despondently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the piano on his front porch, looking out over the island and squealing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Jellyfish. Do come again."

"Just a minute," murmured Mister Jellyfish grandly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Cobra sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied crankily.