Mister Koala And The New Neighbor

Mister Koala lived on a trail in a penthouse made of Velcro. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast turkey, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" opined Mister Koala softly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Jack Daniel's?"

"I can't stay," fumed Mister Manatee. I just want to ask you what you think of the prairie dog that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," vouched Mister Koala. "I didn't know about any prairie dog. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," spoke up Mister Manatee charmingly. "I heard that this prairie dog likes to swirl elephant tusks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Manatee, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of prairie dogs swirling elephant tusks?"

"I can't imagine," avowed Mister Koala.

"What are we going to do about it?" piped up Mister Manatee.

"Appoint a committee?" interrupted Mister Koala, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Manatee had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," chattered Mister Koala gingerly, 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 Manatee primly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," instructed Mister Koala cautiously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the armoire on his front porch, looking out over the trail and flailing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Manatee. Do come again."

"Just a minute," argued Mister Manatee sharply. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Koala sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied threateningly.