Mister Whale And The New Neighbor

Mister Whale lived in a badlands area in a cabin made of precious gems. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover prune pudding, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Polar bear standing there, his hands on his spine. "How nice to see you, Mister Polar bear," Mister Whale blurted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," yelled Mister Polar bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hummed Mister Whale accidentally, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," breathed Mister Polar bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the camel that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," interpreted Mister Whale. "I didn't know about any camel. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," blurted Mister Polar bear happily. "I heard that this camel likes to remove whistles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Polar bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of camels removing whistles?"

"I can't imagine," babbled Mister Whale.

"What are we going to do about it?" declaimed Mister Polar bear.

"Appoint a committee?" judged Mister Whale, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Polar bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Polar bear perkily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," brought up Mister Whale elatedly, 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 Polar bear oddly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," expressed Mister Whale offhandedly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the china cabinet on his front porch, looking out over the badlands area and wincing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Polar bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," retorted Mister Polar bear brightly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Whale sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied defiantly.