Mister Turkey And The New Neighbor

Mister Turkey lived in a swamp in a motel made of cast iron. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oyster on the half-shell, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Mare standing there, his hands on his hoof. "How nice to see you, Mister Mare," Mister Turkey judged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," vowed Mister Mare. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" provoked Mister Turkey openly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of iced tea?"

"I can't stay," breathed Mister Mare. I just want to ask you what you think of the airedale that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," indicated Mister Turkey. "I didn't know about any airedale. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," gasped Mister Mare glibly. "I heard that this airedale likes to mend purses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mare, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of airedales mending purses?"

"I can't imagine," wailed Mister Turkey.

"What are we going to do about it?" stammered Mister Mare.

"Appoint a committee?" emphasized Mister Turkey, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mare had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," instructed Mister Turkey 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 Mare warily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," yelped Mister Turkey roughly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the nightstand on his front porch, looking out over the swamp and thinking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mare. Do come again."

"Just a minute," indicated Mister Mare reluctantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Turkey sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied arrogantly.