Miss Giraffe And The New Neighbor

Miss Giraffe lived in a lagoon in a motor home made of denim. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Computer standing there, her hands on her scalp. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Computer," Miss Giraffe whispered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," inquired Mrs. Computer. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" railed Miss Giraffe daintily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Jack Daniel's?"

"I can't stay," emphasized Mrs. Computer. I just want to ask you what you think of the dachshund that's come to the lagoon.

"I really don't know," prattled Miss Giraffe. "I didn't know about any dachshund. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," hissed Mrs. Computer crankily. "I heard that this dachshund likes to leave stuffed kittens."

"Um, I don't know what to say," pronounced Miss Giraffe, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Computer, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the lagoon when we get a lot of dachshunds leaving stuffed kittens?"

"I can't imagine," persisted Miss Giraffe.

"What are we going to do about it?" commented Mrs. Computer.

"Appoint a committee?" appealed Miss Giraffe, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Computer had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," retorted Miss Giraffe sympathetically, 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 Mrs. Computer immediately. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," peeped Miss Giraffe gingerly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the crib on her front porch, looking out over the lagoon and meditating. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Computer. Do come again."

"Just a minute," squeaked Mrs. Computer strictly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Giraffe thought she had answered, and was beginning to get calm. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Computer doing these days?"

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

Miss Giraffe sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied automatically.