Mister Rooster And The New Neighbor

Mister Rooster lived in a grassland in a house made of matchsticks. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg drop soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Shark standing there, her hands on her cheek. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Shark," Mister Rooster blathered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," growled Mrs. Shark. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" orated Mister Rooster brightly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a grape soda?"

"I can't stay," informed Mrs. Shark. I just want to ask you what you think of the duck-billed platypus that's come to the grassland.

"I really don't know," implored Mister Rooster. "I didn't know about any duck-billed platypus. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," concluded Mrs. Shark greedily. "I heard that this duck-billed platypus likes to ridicule coconuts."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Shark, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassland when we get a lot of duck-billed platypi ridiculing coconuts?"

"I can't imagine," quavered Mister Rooster.

"What are we going to do about it?" vowed Mrs. Shark.

"Appoint a committee?" implored Mister Rooster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Shark had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," muttered Mister Rooster speedily, 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. Shark slyly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," accused Mister Rooster woodenly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on his front porch, looking out over the grassland and coming over. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Shark. Do come again."

"Just a minute," grieved Mrs. Shark energetically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Rooster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied pitifully.