Miss Toad And The New Neighbor

Miss Toad lived in a treetop in a treehouse made of ashes. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken gumbo, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Falcon standing there, his hands on his eyebrow. "How nice to see you, Mister Falcon," Miss Toad rebutted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," voiced Mister Falcon. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hinted Miss Toad vacantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin and tonic?"

"I can't stay," pronounced Mister Falcon. I just want to ask you what you think of the jackal that's come to the treetop.

"I really don't know," peeped Miss Toad. "I didn't know about any jackal. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," roared Mister Falcon hopelessly. "I heard that this jackal likes to shred washrags."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Falcon, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the treetop when we get a lot of jackals shredding washrags?"

"I can't imagine," blubbered Miss Toad.

"What are we going to do about it?" thought Mister Falcon.

"Appoint a committee?" wept Miss Toad, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Falcon had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," analyzed Miss Toad courteously, 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 Falcon oddly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," debated Miss Toad sheepishly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on her front porch, looking out over the treetop and rocking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Falcon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," accused Mister Falcon lightly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Toad sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied lovingly.