Miss Cheetah And The New Neighbor

Miss Cheetah lived in a neighborhood in a boxcar made of fiber. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken gumbo, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Eagle standing there, his hands on his little finger. "How nice to see you, Mister Eagle," Miss Cheetah clarified, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," bellowed Mister Eagle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hummed Miss Cheetah offhandedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a grape soda?"

"I can't stay," spewed Mister Eagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the ladybug that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," uttered Miss Cheetah. "I didn't know about any ladybug. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," urged Mister Eagle glumly. "I heard that this ladybug likes to attack diaries."

"Um, I don't know what to say," announced Miss Cheetah, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Eagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of ladybugs attacking diaries?"

"I can't imagine," conversed Miss Cheetah.

"What are we going to do about it?" yelped Mister Eagle.

"Appoint a committee?" interrupted Miss Cheetah, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Eagle had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," ranted Miss Cheetah majestically, 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 Eagle wearily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," conversed Miss Cheetah warily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the settee on her front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and quivering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Eagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," mumbled Mister Eagle majestically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Cheetah thought she 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. Eagle doing these days?"

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

Miss Cheetah sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sadly.