Miss German Shepherd And The New Neighbor

Miss German Shepherd lived on a beach in a Victorian mansion made of seaweed. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover crumb cake, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Shark standing there, his hands on his nose. "How nice to see you, Mister Shark," Miss German Shepherd smirked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," drawled Mister Shark. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" howled Miss German Shepherd cruelly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of orange juice?"

"I can't stay," rambled Mister Shark. I just want to ask you what you think of the nightingale that's come to the beach.

"I really don't know," chimed Miss German Shepherd. "I didn't know about any nightingale. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," cajoled Mister Shark fearlessly. "I heard that this nightingale likes to consider sticks."

"Um, I don't know what to say," hummed Miss German Shepherd, 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 beach when we get a lot of nightingales considering sticks?"

"I can't imagine," argued Miss German Shepherd.

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

"Appoint a committee?" contended Miss German Shepherd, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Shark had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," gabbed Miss German Shepherd victoriously, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Shark warmly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wailed Miss German Shepherd properly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on her front porch, looking out over the beach and watching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Shark. Do come again."

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

Miss German Shepherd thought she had answered, and was beginning to get queer. "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?"

Miss German Shepherd sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied violently.