Miss Guinea Pig And The New Neighbor

Miss Guinea pig lived in a park in a castle made of fairy dust. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover corn on the cob, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Duck-billed platypus standing there, his hands on his vein. "How nice to see you, Mister Duck-billed platypus," Miss Guinea pig wailed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," pointed out Mister Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" whined Miss Guinea pig testily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Scotch and soda?"

"I can't stay," insisted Mister Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the koala that's come to the park.

"I really don't know," mouthed Miss Guinea pig. "I didn't know about any koala. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," groveled Mister Duck-billed platypus brightly. "I heard that this koala likes to study coffee pots."

"Um, I don't know what to say," brought up Miss Guinea pig, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Duck-billed platypus, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the park when we get a lot of koalas studying coffee pots?"

"I can't imagine," requested Miss Guinea pig.

"What are we going to do about it?" explained Mister Duck-billed platypus.

"Appoint a committee?" worried Miss Guinea pig, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Duck-billed platypus had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Duck-billed platypus sheepishly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," stated Miss Guinea pig grudgingly, 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 Duck-billed platypus brashly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," uttered Miss Guinea pig crankily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the workbench on her front porch, looking out over the park and hanging around. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

"Just a minute," bellowed Mister Duck-billed platypus admiringly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Guinea pig thought she had answered, and was beginning to get sober. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Duck-billed platypus doing these days?"

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

Miss Guinea pig sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied quietly.