Mister Beagle And The New Neighbor

Mister Beagle lived in a neighborhood in a KOA Kampground made of mahogany. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover wienerschnitzel, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Ghost standing there, his hands on his thumb. "How nice to see you, Mister Ghost," Mister Beagle spoke up, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," rationalized Mister Ghost. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" boomed Mister Beagle woodenly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an ice cream soda?"

"I can't stay," winked Mister Ghost. I just want to ask you what you think of the crab that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," phrased Mister Beagle. "I didn't know about any crab. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mentioned Mister Ghost speedily. "I heard that this crab likes to pluck boomerangs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Ghost, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of crabs plucking boomerangs?"

"I can't imagine," chanted Mister Beagle.

"What are we going to do about it?" yawned Mister Ghost.

"Appoint a committee?" whimpered Mister Beagle, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Ghost had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," reacted Mister Beagle irritably, 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 Ghost primly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," boasted Mister Beagle carefully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the couch on his front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and doing the Hokey Pokey. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Ghost. Do come again."

"Just a minute," hummed Mister Ghost merrily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Beagle sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied fearfully.