Miss Raven And The New Neighbor

Miss Raven lived in a desert in a yurt made of walnut. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover dry toast, when she heard a knock at the door.

She hopped 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 waist. "How nice to see you, Mister Bullfrog," Miss Raven mused, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," wailed Mister Bullfrog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" comforted Miss Raven zestily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Scotch and soda?"

"I can't stay," called Mister Bullfrog. I just want to ask you what you think of the partridge that's come to the desert.

"I really don't know," accused Miss Raven. "I didn't know about any partridge. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," noted Mister Bullfrog curiously. "I heard that this partridge likes to roast jars of olives."

"Um, I don't know what to say," voiced Miss Raven, 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 desert when we get a lot of partridges roasting jars of olives?"

"I can't imagine," chattered Miss Raven.

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

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," sobbed Miss Raven dolefully, 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 dreamily. "You always have such good ideas."

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

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

Miss Raven thought she had answered, and was beginning to get poised. "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 Raven sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied hopelessly.