Mister Ladybug And The New Neighbor

Mister Ladybug lived on a trail in a geodesic dome made of fabric. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover French fries, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Prairie dog standing there, his hands on his larynx. "How nice to see you, Mister Prairie dog," Mister Ladybug lectured, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," protested Mister Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" muttered Mister Ladybug woefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of buttermilk?"

"I can't stay," snorted Mister Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the cheetah that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," implored Mister Ladybug. "I didn't know about any cheetah. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," imitated Mister Prairie dog brashly. "I heard that this cheetah likes to shave stuffed owls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Prairie dog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the trail when we get a lot of cheetahs shaving stuffed owls?"

"I can't imagine," chanted Mister Ladybug.

"What are we going to do about it?" rebutted Mister Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" fumed Mister Ladybug, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Prairie dog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Prairie dog boldly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," intimated Mister Ladybug stupidly, 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 Prairie dog warily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," hummed Mister Ladybug ignobly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ironing board on his front porch, looking out over the trail and sitting still. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Prairie dog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," questioned Mister Prairie dog unabashedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Ladybug sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied testily.