Mister Turkey And The New Neighbor

Mister Turkey lived in a swamp in an A-frame made of corncobs. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pizza, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Skunk standing there, his hands on his chin. "How nice to see you, Mister Skunk," Mister Turkey vouched, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," whined Mister Skunk. "May I come in?"

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

"I can't stay," worried Mister Skunk. I just want to ask you what you think of the falcon that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," pointed out Mister Turkey. "I didn't know about any falcon. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," squawked Mister Skunk dolorously. "I heard that this falcon likes to play with padlocks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Skunk, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of falcons playing with padlocks?"

"I can't imagine," questioned Mister Turkey.

"What are we going to do about it?" wept Mister Skunk.

"Appoint a committee?" prattled Mister Turkey, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Skunk had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," yawned Mister Turkey defiantly, 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 Skunk fearfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," asserted Mister Turkey firmly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the billiard table on his front porch, looking out over the swamp and belching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Skunk. Do come again."

"Just a minute," noted Mister Skunk hysterically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Turkey sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied breathlessly.