Miss Gerbil And The New Neighbor

Miss Gerbil lived on a butte in a hut made of muslin. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Froot Loops, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Dingo standing there, his hands on his scalp. "How nice to see you, Mister Dingo," Miss Gerbil cried, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mouthed Mister Dingo. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" joked Miss Gerbil hungrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Pepto Bismol?"

"I can't stay," grieved Mister Dingo. I just want to ask you what you think of the macaque that's come to the butte.

"I really don't know," warbled Miss Gerbil. "I didn't know about any macaque. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," panted Mister Dingo frantically. "I heard that this macaque likes to uncover egg shells."

"Um, I don't know what to say," suggested Miss Gerbil, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Dingo, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the butte when we get a lot of macaques uncovering egg shells?"

"I can't imagine," stuttered Miss Gerbil.

"What are we going to do about it?" chortled Mister Dingo.

"Appoint a committee?" groaned Miss Gerbil, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dingo had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," vowed Miss Gerbil arrogantly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Dingo suddenly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," implored Miss Gerbil joyously, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the computer on her front porch, looking out over the butte and giggling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dingo. Do come again."

"Just a minute," yawned Mister Dingo quietly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Gerbil thought she had answered, and was beginning to get poised. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Dingo doing these days?"

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

Miss Gerbil sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied valiantly.