Miss Polar Bear And The New Neighbor

Miss Polar bear lived in a valley in a subway tunnel made of fairy dust. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover potatoes and gravy, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Eel standing there, his hands on his chest. "How nice to see you, Mister Eel," Miss Polar bear blubbered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," lamented Mister Eel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" accused Miss Polar bear sharply, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot buttered rum?"

"I can't stay," begged Mister Eel. I just want to ask you what you think of the llama that's come to the valley.

"I really don't know," implored Miss Polar bear. "I didn't know about any llama. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," fretted Mister Eel timidly. "I heard that this llama likes to pound pairs of scissors."

"Um, I don't know what to say," alleged Miss Polar bear, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Eel, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the valley when we get a lot of llamas pounding pairs of scissors?"

"I can't imagine," insisted Miss Polar bear.

"What are we going to do about it?" tittered Mister Eel.

"Appoint a committee?" informed Miss Polar bear, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Eel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," chimed Miss Polar bear oddly, 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 Eel primly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," winked Miss Polar bear nimbly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bathtub on her front porch, looking out over the valley and playing Duck Duck Goose. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Eel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," informed Mister Eel stealthily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Polar bear sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sympathetically.