Mister Groundhog And The New Neighbor

Mister Groundhog lived in a park in a cottage made of old bones. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ceviche, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Meerkat standing there, her hands on her rib. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Meerkat," Mister Groundhog squeaked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," contended Mrs. Meerkat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" spoke up Mister Groundhog hopelessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of espresso?"

"I can't stay," vowed Mrs. Meerkat. I just want to ask you what you think of the cheetah that's come to the park.

"I really don't know," snorted Mister Groundhog. "I didn't know about any cheetah. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," called Mrs. Meerkat sympathetically. "I heard that this cheetah likes to mark key rings."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Meerkat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the park when we get a lot of cheetahs marking key rings?"

"I can't imagine," bawled Mister Groundhog.

"What are we going to do about it?" vouched Mrs. Meerkat.

"Appoint a committee?" bragged Mister Groundhog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Meerkat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Meerkat elatedly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," imitated Mister Groundhog intensely, 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. Meerkat blindly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," mouthed Mister Groundhog charmingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on his front porch, looking out over the park and typing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Meerkat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," gabbed Mrs. Meerkat gruffly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Groundhog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied craftily.