Mister Musk-ox And The New Neighbor

Mister Musk-ox lived in a meadow in a tent made of cork. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hors d'oeuvre, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Horsie standing there, her hands on her tongue. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Horsie," Mister Musk-ox growled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," stammered Mrs. Horsie. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" amended Mister Musk-ox woodenly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of Kool-Aid?"

"I can't stay," debated Mrs. Horsie. I just want to ask you what you think of the mink that's come to the meadow.

"I really don't know," sighed Mister Musk-ox. "I didn't know about any mink. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mumbled Mrs. Horsie cleverly. "I heard that this mink likes to pick forks."

"Um, I don't know what to say," yowled Mister Musk-ox, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Horsie, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the meadow when we get a lot of minks picking forks?"

"I can't imagine," joked Mister Musk-ox.

"What are we going to do about it?" debated Mrs. Horsie.

"Appoint a committee?" cackled Mister Musk-ox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Horsie had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," offered Mister Musk-ox dubiously, 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. Horsie ignobly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," announced Mister Musk-ox sorrowfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on his front porch, looking out over the meadow and sitting still. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Horsie. Do come again."

"Just a minute," sniveled Mrs. Horsie vacantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Musk-ox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gratefully.