Mister Parakeet And The New Neighbor

Mister Parakeet lived in a housing development in a studio made of concrete. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Cheerios, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Dragon standing there, his hands on his gut. "How nice to see you, Mister Dragon," Mister Parakeet reminded, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," wailed Mister Dragon. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" blubbered Mister Parakeet courageously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a milkshake?"

"I can't stay," opined Mister Dragon. I just want to ask you what you think of the bumblebee that's come to the housing development.

"I really don't know," purred Mister Parakeet. "I didn't know about any bumblebee. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," contended Mister Dragon proudly. "I heard that this bumblebee likes to copy fishing rods."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Dragon, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the housing development when we get a lot of bumblebees copying fishing rods?"

"I can't imagine," groveled Mister Parakeet.

"What are we going to do about it?" sneered Mister Dragon.

"Appoint a committee?" intoned Mister Parakeet, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dragon had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," whispered Mister Parakeet happily, 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 Dragon gruffly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," barked Mister Parakeet busily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pillow on his front porch, looking out over the housing development and dilly-dallying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dragon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," prattled Mister Dragon majestically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Parakeet sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied again.