Mister Rooster And The New Neighbor

Mister Rooster lived in a badlands area in a cabin made of foam rubber. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover strawberry shortcake, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Goat standing there, her hands on her little finger. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Goat," Mister Rooster protested, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," scoffed Mrs. Goat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" realized Mister Rooster trustingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin sour?"

"I can't stay," blathered Mrs. Goat. I just want to ask you what you think of the antelope that's come to the badlands area.

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

"Well don't be so sure," conversed Mrs. Goat jokingly. "I heard that this antelope likes to rub pieces of paper."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Goat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of antelopes rubbing pieces of paper?"

"I can't imagine," expressed Mister Rooster.

"What are we going to do about it?" accused Mrs. Goat.

"Appoint a committee?" professed Mister Rooster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Goat had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," raved Mister Rooster zestily, 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. Goat ferociously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," argued Mister Rooster flightily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the cupboard on his front porch, looking out over the badlands area and grumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Goat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," provoked Mrs. Goat reluctantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Rooster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied later.