Mister Dog And The New Neighbor

Mister Dog lived in a pond in a studio made of Formica. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken gumbo, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Bear standing there, his hands on his funny bone. "How nice to see you, Mister Bear," Mister Dog harangued, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," revealed Mister Bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" spoke up Mister Dog blissfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an old fashioned?"

"I can't stay," cried Mister Bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the salamander that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," continued Mister Dog. "I didn't know about any salamander. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," piped up Mister Bear sweetly. "I heard that this salamander likes to yank fish."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of salamanders yanking fish?"

"I can't imagine," instructed Mister Dog.

"What are we going to do about it?" blurted Mister Bear.

"Appoint a committee?" argued Mister Dog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bear had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," mumbled Mister Dog gently, 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 Bear merrily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," spoke up Mister Dog blindly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the fainting couch on his front porch, looking out over the pond and dealing cards. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," taunted Mister Bear wildly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied properly.