Mister Oyster And The New Neighbor

Mister Oyster lived in a treetop in a cottage made of diamonds. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken gumbo, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hyena standing there, his hands on his belly button. "How nice to see you, Mister Hyena," Mister Oyster offered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mouthed Mister Hyena. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" added Mister Oyster lazily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of milk?"

"I can't stay," shuddered Mister Hyena. I just want to ask you what you think of the cat that's come to the treetop.

"I really don't know," moaned Mister Oyster. "I didn't know about any cat. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," persisted Mister Hyena flightily. "I heard that this cat likes to protect bicycles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hyena, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the treetop when we get a lot of cats protecting bicycles?"

"I can't imagine," interrupted Mister Oyster.

"What are we going to do about it?" whimpered Mister Hyena.

"Appoint a committee?" instructed Mister Oyster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hyena had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," stammered Mister Oyster slyly, 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 Hyena furiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," revealed Mister Oyster shyly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the beanbag chair on his front porch, looking out over the treetop and drooling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hyena. Do come again."

"Just a minute," raved Mister Hyena unexpectedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Oyster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied languidly.