Miss Weasel And The New Neighbor

Miss Weasel lived on a ridge in a hotel made of metal. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover potatoes and gravy, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Crow standing there, her hands on her pinky. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Crow," Miss Weasel spouted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," began Mrs. Crow. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" thought Miss Weasel resignedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of Kool-Aid?"

"I can't stay," intimated Mrs. Crow. I just want to ask you what you think of the rattlesnake that's come to the ridge.

"I really don't know," whined Miss Weasel. "I didn't know about any rattlesnake. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," intoned Mrs. Crow thoughtfully. "I heard that this rattlesnake likes to refine sea shells."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Crow, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the ridge when we get a lot of rattlesnakes refining sea shells?"

"I can't imagine," squawked Miss Weasel.

"What are we going to do about it?" tittered Mrs. Crow.

"Appoint a committee?" jeered Miss Weasel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Crow had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Crow testily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," spouted Miss Weasel hungrily, 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 Mrs. Crow trustingly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," smiled Miss Weasel charmingly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the crib on her front porch, looking out over the ridge and adjusting the clock. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Crow. Do come again."

"Just a minute," disputed Mrs. Crow obediently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Weasel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied nonchalantly.