Mister Pheasant And The New Neighbor

Mister Pheasant lived on an island in an apartment made of rubber. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover spaghetti, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Guinea pig standing there, his hands on his ear. "How nice to see you, Mister Guinea pig," Mister Pheasant pointed out, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," giggled Mister Guinea pig. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" began Mister Pheasant temperamentally, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Irish Coffee?"

"I can't stay," chuckled Mister Guinea pig. I just want to ask you what you think of the dinosaur that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," pleaded Mister Pheasant. "I didn't know about any dinosaur. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," purred Mister Guinea pig unnaturally. "I heard that this dinosaur likes to melt cardboard boxes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Guinea pig, 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 dinosaurs melting cardboard boxes?"

"I can't imagine," maintained Mister Pheasant.

"What are we going to do about it?" trumpeted Mister Guinea pig.

"Appoint a committee?" reacted Mister Pheasant, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Guinea pig had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Guinea pig carelessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," emphasized Mister Pheasant gently, 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 Guinea pig softly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," answered Mister Pheasant glibly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the TV on his front porch, looking out over the island and snuffling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Guinea pig. Do come again."

"Just a minute," bellowed Mister Guinea pig accidentally. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pheasant sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied obediently.