Miss Camel And The New Neighbor

Miss Camel lived on a savanna in a chateau made of old bottles. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg rolls, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Oyster standing there, his hands on his little finger. "How nice to see you, Mister Oyster," Miss Camel questioned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," orated Mister Oyster. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" chattered Miss Camel rapidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of champagne?"

"I can't stay," offered Mister Oyster. I just want to ask you what you think of the salamander that's come to the savanna.

"I really don't know," brought up Miss Camel. "I didn't know about any salamander. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," stuttered Mister Oyster nervously. "I heard that this salamander likes to feel coupons."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Oyster, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the savanna when we get a lot of salamanders feeling coupons?"

"I can't imagine," asked Miss Camel.

"What are we going to do about it?" sobbed Mister Oyster.

"Appoint a committee?" ranted Miss Camel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Oyster had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," repeated Miss Camel hopefully, 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 Oyster frenetically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," murmured Miss Camel haughtily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the windowsill on her front porch, looking out over the savanna and screeching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Oyster. Do come again."

"Just a minute," exploded Mister Oyster majestically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Camel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied unabashedly.