Mister Coyote And The New Neighbor

Mister Coyote lived on a path in a crypt made of stucco. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ham, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Crow standing there, her hands on her mouth. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Crow," Mister Coyote declared, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," began Mrs. Crow. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" panted Mister Coyote furiously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a double latte?"

"I can't stay," stormed Mrs. Crow. I just want to ask you what you think of the sloth that's come to the path.

"I really don't know," bawled Mister Coyote. "I didn't know about any sloth. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," quavered Mrs. Crow shyly. "I heard that this sloth likes to wiggle whistles."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Crow, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the path when we get a lot of sloths wiggling whistles?"

"I can't imagine," winked Mister Coyote.

"What are we going to do about it?" realized Mrs. Crow.

"Appoint a committee?" screamed Mister Coyote, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Crow had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," tittered Mister Coyote warily, 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 Mrs. Crow haughtily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," sniffed Mister Coyote brightly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on his front porch, looking out over the path and catching up. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Crow. Do come again."

"Just a minute," queried Mrs. Crow quickly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Coyote sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied frenetically.