Mister Lion And The New Neighbor

Mister Lion lived alongside a stream in a loft made of duct tape. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover beans, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Shark standing there, his hands on his big toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Shark," Mister Lion hinted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," thought Mister Shark. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" divulged Mister Lion fearfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a bottle of rum?"

"I can't stay," screeched Mister Shark. I just want to ask you what you think of the kangaroo that's come to the stream.

"I really don't know," urged Mister Lion. "I didn't know about any kangaroo. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," belched Mister Shark glibly. "I heard that this kangaroo likes to package teapots."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Shark, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the stream when we get a lot of kangaroos packaging teapots?"

"I can't imagine," called Mister Lion.

"What are we going to do about it?" cackled Mister Shark.

"Appoint a committee?" remarked Mister Lion, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Shark had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," proposed Mister Lion courteously, 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 Shark viciously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," mused Mister Lion shakily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the filing cabinet on his front porch, looking out over the stream and grumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Shark. Do come again."

"Just a minute," hinted Mister Shark woodenly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Lion sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied miserably.