Mister Rhinoceros And The New Neighbor

Mister Rhinoceros lived on a moonscape in a teepee made of enamel. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mushroom quiche, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" orated Mister Rhinoceros angrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of iced tea?"

"I can't stay," quavered Mrs. Chihuahua. I just want to ask you what you think of the chameleon that's come to the moonscape.

"I really don't know," squealed Mister Rhinoceros. "I didn't know about any chameleon. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," retorted Mrs. Chihuahua sadly. "I heard that this chameleon likes to analyze bags of popcorn."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Chihuahua, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the moonscape when we get a lot of chameleons analyzing bags of popcorn?"

"I can't imagine," informed Mister Rhinoceros.

"What are we going to do about it?" insisted Mrs. Chihuahua.

"Appoint a committee?" questioned Mister Rhinoceros, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Chihuahua had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," breathed Mister Rhinoceros daintily, 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. Chihuahua sourly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fretted Mister Rhinoceros charmingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the crib on his front porch, looking out over the moonscape and swooning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Chihuahua. Do come again."

"Just a minute," suggested Mrs. Chihuahua jokingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Rhinoceros sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gratefully.