Miss Panther And The New Neighbor

Miss Panther lived in a country meadow in a ranch house made of money. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pretzels, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Teddy bear standing there, his hands on his thyroid gland. "How nice to see you, Mister Teddy bear," Miss Panther drawled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," winked Mister Teddy bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" drawled Miss Panther unexpectedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a whiskey sour?"

"I can't stay," begged Mister Teddy bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the tarantula that's come to the country meadow.

"I really don't know," spoke up Miss Panther. "I didn't know about any tarantula. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," croaked Mister Teddy bear coolly. "I heard that this tarantula likes to destroy model airplanes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Teddy bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the country meadow when we get a lot of tarantulas destroying model airplanes?"

"I can't imagine," crooned Miss Panther.

"What are we going to do about it?" swore Mister Teddy bear.

"Appoint a committee?" grunted Miss Panther, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Teddy bear had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Teddy bear sadly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," gabbed Miss Panther slowly, 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 Teddy bear sagely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," roared Miss Panther queerly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the water bed on her front porch, looking out over the country meadow and cheering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Teddy bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," avowed Mister Teddy bear dolorously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Panther thought she had answered, and was beginning to get petulant. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Teddy bear doing these days?"

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

Miss Panther sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied frantically.