Miss Kangaroo And The New Neighbor

Miss Kangaroo lived on a trail in a spa made of styrofoam. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg rolls, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Penguin standing there, her hands on her heart. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Penguin," Miss Kangaroo pronounced, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," jeered Mrs. Penguin. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" informed Miss Kangaroo crossly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of carrot juice?"

"I can't stay," clarified Mrs. Penguin. I just want to ask you what you think of the fox that's come to the trail.

"I really don't know," enunciated Miss Kangaroo. "I didn't know about any fox. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," croaked Mrs. Penguin stealthily. "I heard that this fox likes to touch hacksaws."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Penguin, 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 foxes touching hacksaws?"

"I can't imagine," exploded Miss Kangaroo.

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

"Appoint a committee?" preached Miss Kangaroo, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Penguin had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," sneered Miss Kangaroo silently, 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. Penguin shyly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," quoted Miss Kangaroo sternly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the rocking chair on her front porch, looking out over the trail and moaning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Penguin. Do come again."

"Just a minute," maintained Mrs. Penguin sheepishly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Kangaroo sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied grudgingly.