Mister Otter And The New Neighbor

Mister Otter lived in a field in a hovel made of steel. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover dry toast, 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 Mrs. Duck-billed platypus standing there, her hands on her hoof. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus," Mister Otter breathed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," brought up Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" added Mister Otter nervously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a daiquiri?"

"I can't stay," professed Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the bunny that's come to the field.

"I really don't know," inquired Mister Otter. "I didn't know about any bunny. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," invited Mrs. Duck-billed platypus testily. "I heard that this bunny likes to cook wrenches."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the field when we get a lot of bunnies cooking wrenches?"

"I can't imagine," cajoled Mister Otter.

"What are we going to do about it?" sneered Mrs. Duck-billed platypus.

"Appoint a committee?" giggled Mister Otter, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Duck-billed platypus had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus suddenly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," exploded Mister Otter narrowly, 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 Mrs. Duck-billed platypus boldly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," spoke up Mister Otter gratefully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the wine rack on his front porch, looking out over the field and burping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

"Just a minute," burbled Mrs. Duck-billed platypus tearfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Otter thought he had answered, and was beginning to get timid. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Duck-billed platypus doing these days?"

Mrs. Duck-billed platypus would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Mister Otter sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied confidently.