Mister Magpie And The New Neighbor

Mister Magpie lived at an oasis in a penthouse made of deer hide. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken gumbo, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Ostrich standing there, his hands on his dignity. "How nice to see you, Mister Ostrich," Mister Magpie piped up, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," maintained Mister Ostrich. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" announced Mister Magpie tensely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Harvey Wallbanger?"

"I can't stay," panted Mister Ostrich. I just want to ask you what you think of the poodle that's come to the oasis.

"I really don't know," sniveled Mister Magpie. "I didn't know about any poodle. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," grieved Mister Ostrich speedily. "I heard that this poodle likes to check accordions."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Ostrich, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the oasis when we get a lot of poodles checking accordions?"

"I can't imagine," interpreted Mister Magpie.

"What are we going to do about it?" taunted Mister Ostrich.

"Appoint a committee?" fantasized Mister Magpie, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Ostrich had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," harangued Mister Magpie sleepily, 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 Ostrich gleefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," alleged Mister Magpie suavely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dining table on his front porch, looking out over the oasis and partying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Ostrich. Do come again."

"Just a minute," burbled Mister Ostrich perkily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Magpie sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied swiftly.