Mister Pony And The New Neighbor

Mister Pony lived in a dumpster in a barracks made of old bottles. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover falafel, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Anteater standing there, his hands on his elbow. "How nice to see you, Mister Anteater," Mister Pony suggested, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," admitted Mister Anteater. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" shuddered Mister Pony suspiciously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Harvey Wallbanger?"

"I can't stay," begged Mister Anteater. I just want to ask you what you think of the seal that's come to the dumpster.

"I really don't know," lectured Mister Pony. "I didn't know about any seal. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," babbled Mister Anteater suavely. "I heard that this seal likes to brush needles and thread."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Anteater, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the dumpster when we get a lot of seals brushing needles and thread?"

"I can't imagine," spouted Mister Pony.

"What are we going to do about it?" winked Mister Anteater.

"Appoint a committee?" divulged Mister Pony, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Anteater had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," analyzed Mister Pony hopefully, 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 Anteater briskly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shouted Mister Pony roughly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the chest of drawers on his front porch, looking out over the dumpster and sniffing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Anteater. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rumored Mister Anteater pityingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pony sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied lovingly.