Mister Dromedary And The New Neighbor

Mister Dromedary lived on an island in a cave made of peanut butter. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage rolls, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Seal standing there, his hands on his skin. "How nice to see you, Mister Seal," Mister Dromedary sniffed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," suggested Mister Seal. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" mumbled Mister Dromedary hungrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Sangría?"

"I can't stay," implored Mister Seal. I just want to ask you what you think of the leopard that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," blustered Mister Dromedary. "I didn't know about any leopard. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," gabbed Mister Seal admiringly. "I heard that this leopard likes to cover needles and thread."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Seal, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the island when we get a lot of leopards covering needles and thread?"

"I can't imagine," nattered Mister Dromedary.

"What are we going to do about it?" screeched Mister Seal.

"Appoint a committee?" sniped Mister Dromedary, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Seal had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," argued Mister Dromedary testily, 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 Seal slyly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," appealed Mister Dromedary briskly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the filing cabinet on his front porch, looking out over the island and relaxing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Seal. Do come again."

"Just a minute," boasted Mister Seal suavely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dromedary sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied roughly.