Miss Oyster And The New Neighbor

Miss Oyster lived in a buffalo wallow in a duplex made of pulp. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover macaroni and cheese, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bullfrog standing there, his hands on his toenail. "How nice to see you, Mister Bullfrog," Miss Oyster continued, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," yowled Mister Bullfrog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" exploded Miss Oyster cautiously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of grape juice?"

"I can't stay," offered Mister Bullfrog. I just want to ask you what you think of the frog that's come to the buffalo wallow.

"I really don't know," blurted Miss Oyster. "I didn't know about any frog. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," cackled Mister Bullfrog valiantly. "I heard that this frog likes to submerse roses."

"Um, I don't know what to say," railed Miss Oyster, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Bullfrog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the buffalo wallow when we get a lot of frogs submersing roses?"

"I can't imagine," voiced Miss Oyster.

"What are we going to do about it?" conversed Mister Bullfrog.

"Appoint a committee?" rebutted Miss Oyster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bullfrog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," began Miss Oyster victoriously, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Bullfrog truculently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fretted Miss Oyster oddly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the umbrella stand on her front porch, looking out over the buffalo wallow and drooling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bullfrog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," said Mister Bullfrog hungrily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Oyster thought she had answered, and was beginning to get slimy. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Bullfrog doing these days?"

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

Miss Oyster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied dreamily.