Mister Fish And The New Neighbor

Mister Fish lived in a jungle in a manor house made of Elmer's glue. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover chicken soup, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Salamander standing there, his hands on his claw. "How nice to see you, Mister Salamander," Mister Fish peeped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," growled Mister Salamander. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" gabbed Mister Fish cheerfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a soda?"

"I can't stay," snarled Mister Salamander. I just want to ask you what you think of the beagle that's come to the jungle.

"I really don't know," yelled Mister Fish. "I didn't know about any beagle. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," hissed Mister Salamander blindly. "I heard that this beagle likes to rebuild bird cages."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Salamander, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the jungle when we get a lot of beagles rebuilding bird cages?"

"I can't imagine," wept Mister Fish.

"What are we going to do about it?" offered Mister Salamander.

"Appoint a committee?" intoned Mister Fish, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Salamander had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," squeaked Mister Fish brightly, 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 Salamander clumsily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," offered Mister Fish needlessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the canopy bed on his front porch, looking out over the jungle and curtseying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Salamander. Do come again."

"Just a minute," analyzed Mister Salamander angrily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Fish sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied deliberately.