Mister Anteater And The New Neighbor

Mister Anteater lived in a country meadow in a retreat made of sweat and toil. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mushroom quiche, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Snipe standing there, his hands on his beard. "How nice to see you, Mister Snipe," Mister Anteater swore, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," exclaimed Mister Snipe. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" groaned Mister Anteater carefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a V8?"

"I can't stay," shouted Mister Snipe. I just want to ask you what you think of the ostrich that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," proposed Mister Anteater. "I didn't know about any ostrich. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," moaned Mister Snipe busily. "I heard that this ostrich likes to seal wrenches."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Snipe, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of ostriches sealing wrenches?"

"I can't imagine," pleaded Mister Anteater.

"What are we going to do about it?" ranted Mister Snipe.

"Appoint a committee?" sniveled Mister Anteater, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Snipe had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," roared Mister Anteater rapidly, 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 Snipe breathlessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," mused Mister Anteater ferociously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bench on his front porch, looking out over the country meadow and blanking out. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Snipe. Do come again."

"Just a minute," continued Mister Snipe lazily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Anteater sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied narrowly.