Miss Weasel And The New Neighbor

Miss Weasel lived in a backyard in a retreat made of ivory. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Raven standing there, her hands on her head. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Raven," Miss Weasel snarled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," spouted Mrs. Raven. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" screeched Miss Weasel bravely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a tequila sunrise?"

"I can't stay," intimated Mrs. Raven. I just want to ask you what you think of the reindeer that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," panted Miss Weasel. "I didn't know about any reindeer. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," piped up Mrs. Raven anxiously. "I heard that this reindeer likes to toss bells."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Raven, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of reindeer tossing bells?"

"I can't imagine," screeched Miss Weasel.

"What are we going to do about it?" noted Mrs. Raven.

"Appoint a committee?" jeered Miss Weasel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Raven had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Raven carefully. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," shrieked Miss Weasel sweetly, 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 Mrs. Raven bravely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," uttered Miss Weasel zestily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bookshelf on her front porch, looking out over the backyard and treading water. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Raven. Do come again."

"Just a minute," intimated Mrs. Raven carelessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Weasel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied anxiously.