Miss Zebra And The New Neighbor

Miss Zebra lived in a park in a sand castle made of copper. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hamburgers, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bumblebee standing there, his hands on his calf. "How nice to see you, Mister Bumblebee," Miss Zebra acknowledged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," pronounced Mister Bumblebee. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" sighed Miss Zebra coolly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Scotch and soda?"

"I can't stay," cajoled Mister Bumblebee. I just want to ask you what you think of the Dalmatian that's come to the park.

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

"Well don't be so sure," barked Mister Bumblebee despondently. "I heard that this Dalmatian likes to loosen brochures."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bumblebee, 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 Dalmatians loosening brochures?"

"I can't imagine," repeated Miss Zebra.

"What are we going to do about it?" realized Mister Bumblebee.

"Appoint a committee?" shrieked Miss Zebra, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bumblebee had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," expressed Miss Zebra hopelessly, 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 Bumblebee speedily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," railed Miss Zebra glumly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on her front porch, looking out over the park and playing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bumblebee. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wept Mister Bumblebee sharply. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Zebra sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied uneasily.