Miss Cow And The New Neighbor

Miss Cow lived in a swamp in a motor home made of flax. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover tortillas, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Rattlesnake standing there, his hands on his wig. "How nice to see you, Mister Rattlesnake," Miss Cow piped up, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," spat Mister Rattlesnake. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" wailed Miss Cow lovingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of iced tea?"

"I can't stay," whispered Mister Rattlesnake. I just want to ask you what you think of the pelican that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," shouted Miss Cow. "I didn't know about any pelican. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," wept Mister Rattlesnake shakily. "I heard that this pelican likes to abuse peaches."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Rattlesnake, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of pelicans abusing peaches?"

"I can't imagine," fantasized Miss Cow.

"What are we going to do about it?" continued Mister Rattlesnake.

"Appoint a committee?" panted Miss Cow, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Rattlesnake had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," agreed Miss Cow slyly, 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 Rattlesnake automatically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chortled Miss Cow immediately, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the chair on her front porch, looking out over the swamp and taking a bath. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Rattlesnake. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chortled Mister Rattlesnake stupidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Cow sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied stealthily.