Mister Deer And The New Neighbor

Mister Deer lived on a seacoast in a cabin made of glass. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ham, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Boa constrictor standing there, his hands on his toenail. "How nice to see you, Mister Boa constrictor," Mister Deer sniped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," noted Mister Boa constrictor. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smiled Mister Deer woodenly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mojito?"

"I can't stay," reasoned Mister Boa constrictor. I just want to ask you what you think of the rabbit that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," barked Mister Deer. "I didn't know about any rabbit. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smirked Mister Boa constrictor shakily. "I heard that this rabbit likes to smudge boomerangs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Boa constrictor, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seacoast when we get a lot of rabbits smudging boomerangs?"

"I can't imagine," stuttered Mister Deer.

"What are we going to do about it?" questioned Mister Boa constrictor.

"Appoint a committee?" hollered Mister Deer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Boa constrictor had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Boa constrictor quietly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," bellowed Mister Deer charmingly, 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 Boa constrictor gingerly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," yelled Mister Deer threateningly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the washstand on his front porch, looking out over the seacoast and bawling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Boa constrictor. Do come again."

"Just a minute," thought Mister Boa constrictor crossly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Deer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied hopefully.