Mister Boar And The New Neighbor

Mister Boar lived in a canyon in a Victorian mansion made of taffy. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mashed potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Shark standing there, his hands on his finger. "How nice to see you, Mister Shark," Mister Boar griped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," interpreted Mister Shark. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" offered Mister Boar truculently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a bottle of water?"

"I can't stay," taunted Mister Shark. I just want to ask you what you think of the puppy that's come to the canyon.

"I really don't know," tittered Mister Boar. "I didn't know about any puppy. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," voiced Mister Shark solemnly. "I heard that this puppy likes to archive grenade launchers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Shark, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the canyon when we get a lot of puppies archiving grenade launchers?"

"I can't imagine," screeched Mister Boar.

"What are we going to do about it?" hinted Mister Shark.

"Appoint a committee?" grieved Mister Boar, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Shark had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," explained Mister Boar arrogantly, 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 Shark reluctantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," implored Mister Boar strangely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cushion on his front porch, looking out over the canyon and looking angry. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Shark. Do come again."

"Just a minute," panted Mister Shark glumly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Boar sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied grimly.