Mister Cow And The New Neighbor

Mister Cow lived on an island in a boxcar made of graham crackers. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover crab rangoon, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Wolverine standing there, her hands on her gall bladder. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Wolverine," Mister Cow sniffed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," continued Mrs. Wolverine. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hummed Mister Cow busily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of tea?"

"I can't stay," harangued Mrs. Wolverine. I just want to ask you what you think of the gecko that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," added Mister Cow. "I didn't know about any gecko. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," emphasized Mrs. Wolverine steadily. "I heard that this gecko likes to smash flutes."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Wolverine, 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 geckos smashing flutes?"

"I can't imagine," insisted Mister Cow.

"What are we going to do about it?" simpered Mrs. Wolverine.

"Appoint a committee?" breathed Mister Cow, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Wolverine had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," appealed Mister Cow defiantly, 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. Wolverine quietly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," croaked Mister Cow sagely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the armoire on his front porch, looking out over the island and puffing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Wolverine. Do come again."

"Just a minute," bragged Mrs. Wolverine dreamily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Cow sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied urgently.