Mister Bunny And The New Neighbor

Mister Bunny lived in a grassland in a subway tunnel made of recycled newspaper. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oatmeal, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Swan standing there, his hands on his vein. "How nice to see you, Mister Swan," Mister Bunny cackled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," enunciated Mister Swan. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" howled Mister Bunny trustingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," stammered Mister Swan. I just want to ask you what you think of the dragon that's come to the grassland.

"I really don't know," moaned Mister Bunny. "I didn't know about any dragon. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," disputed Mister Swan defiantly. "I heard that this dragon likes to dress tops."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Swan, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassland when we get a lot of dragons dressing tops?"

"I can't imagine," blathered Mister Bunny.

"What are we going to do about it?" acknowledged Mister Swan.

"Appoint a committee?" yowled Mister Bunny, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Swan had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," voiced Mister Bunny gratefully, 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 Swan craftily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," repeated Mister Bunny calmly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the computer on his front porch, looking out over the grassland and murmuring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Swan. Do come again."

"Just a minute," laughed Mister Swan softly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Bunny sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied courteously.