Mister Orangutan And The New Neighbor

Mister Orangutan lived on a plain in a castle made of seashells. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pot roast, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Crab standing there, his hands on his calf. "How nice to see you, Mister Crab," Mister Orangutan gasped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," warbled Mister Crab. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" panted Mister Orangutan languidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of whiskey?"

"I can't stay," shrieked Mister Crab. I just want to ask you what you think of the whale that's come to the plain.

"I really don't know," observed Mister Orangutan. "I didn't know about any whale. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," explained Mister Crab charmingly. "I heard that this whale likes to paint clocks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Crab, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plain when we get a lot of whales painting clocks?"

"I can't imagine," said Mister Orangutan.

"What are we going to do about it?" howled Mister Crab.

"Appoint a committee?" spewed Mister Orangutan, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Crab had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," indicated Mister Orangutan gleefully, 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 Crab nicely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chortled Mister Orangutan busily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pedestal on his front porch, looking out over the plain and grunting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Crab. Do come again."

"Just a minute," debated Mister Crab flightily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Orangutan sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied lamely.