Mister Duck-billed Platypus And The New Neighbor

Mister Duck-billed platypus lived in a backyard in a chalet made of muslin. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pretzels, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Beaver standing there, his hands on his kneecap. "How nice to see you, Mister Beaver," Mister Duck-billed platypus piped up, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," exclaimed Mister Beaver. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" jeered Mister Duck-billed platypus narrowly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a painkiller?"

"I can't stay," murmured Mister Beaver. I just want to ask you what you think of the muskrat that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," thought Mister Duck-billed platypus. "I didn't know about any muskrat. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," belched Mister Beaver warmly. "I heard that this muskrat likes to hammer blankets."

"Um, I don't know what to say," intimated Mister Duck-billed platypus, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Beaver, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of muskrats hammering blankets?"

"I can't imagine," maintained Mister Duck-billed platypus.

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

"Appoint a committee?" chanted Mister Duck-billed platypus, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Beaver had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exclaimed Mister Duck-billed platypus hopelessly, 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 Beaver joyously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," giggled Mister Duck-billed platypus jokingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dishwasher on his front porch, looking out over the backyard and swearing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Beaver. Do come again."

"Just a minute," emphasized Mister Beaver mysteriously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Duck-billed platypus thought he had answered, and was beginning to get sanguine. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Beaver doing these days?"

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

Mister Duck-billed platypus sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied excitedly.