Mister Hyena And The New Neighbor

Mister Hyena lived on a grassy knoll in a church made of uranium. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cinnamon toast, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Prairie dog standing there, his hands on his heart. "How nice to see you, Mister Prairie dog," Mister Hyena asked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," protested Mister Prairie dog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" comforted Mister Hyena defiantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of cocoa?"

"I can't stay," fumed Mister Prairie dog. I just want to ask you what you think of the puppy that's come to the grassy knoll.

"I really don't know," affirmed Mister Hyena. "I didn't know about any puppy. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," snorted Mister Prairie dog frantically. "I heard that this puppy likes to monitor pom-poms."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Prairie dog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassy knoll when we get a lot of puppies monitoring pom-poms?"

"I can't imagine," implored Mister Hyena.

"What are we going to do about it?" blathered Mister Prairie dog.

"Appoint a committee?" blustered Mister Hyena, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Prairie dog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Prairie dog happily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," hummed Mister Hyena despondently, 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 Prairie dog woefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," requested Mister Hyena tearfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bar stool on his front porch, looking out over the grassy knoll and showing up. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Prairie dog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," mumbled Mister Prairie dog happily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Hyena sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied diligently.