Mister Chihuahua And The New Neighbor

Mister Chihuahua lived in a country meadow in a trough made of copper. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sushi, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Polar bear standing there, her hands on her bladder. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Polar bear," Mister Chihuahua explained, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," added Mrs. Polar bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" proposed Mister Chihuahua gingerly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Irish Coffee?"

"I can't stay," implored Mrs. Polar bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the beagle that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," thought Mister Chihuahua. "I didn't know about any beagle. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," avowed Mrs. Polar bear quietly. "I heard that this beagle likes to hide vacuum cleaners."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Polar bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of beagles hiding vacuum cleaners?"

"I can't imagine," yelled Mister Chihuahua.

"What are we going to do about it?" shouted Mrs. Polar bear.

"Appoint a committee?" affirmed Mister Chihuahua, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Polar bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Polar bear carelessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," sniffed Mister Chihuahua admiringly, 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 Mrs. Polar bear sharply. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," rumored Mister Chihuahua cunningly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bench on his front porch, looking out over the country meadow and pacing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Polar bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," growled Mrs. Polar bear grimly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Chihuahua sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied zestily.