Neighbors

"Mama said we're havin' a house warmin' party," Missy whispered into teddy's stuffed ear. Hugging the bear close, she inspected a table flowing with cookies and cupcakes and strawberries. Reaching out her hand, she snagged a bunch of grapes.

"Stay out of the food, young lady," Mama frowned, "In fact, why don't you go play in the backyard. It's lovely out today."

Squeezing teddy, Missy's curly locks slapped against her cheeks as she shook her head.

"I can't, Mama," Missy gasped, "There are pandas out there!"

"You've got quite the imagination, Missy." Mama laughed.

"What is it this time?" Daddy grinned as he set a platter of meat and cheeses on the table. "Did you find a new litter of flying kittens? Or is there another alien race of birds plotting to take over the world?"

"Pandas in the backyard," Mama winked, "I told you we should've had the bamboo removed. It's so much like a jungle out there, it's no wonder pandas have moved in!"

Missy giggled, "Pandas don't live in the jungle, mama!"

"Well, why don't you take teddy out and introduce him to the pandas," Mama suggested, pouring water into a vase of flowers.

Missy puckered her lips but turned and marched outside when Daddy gave her "the look".

A flash of black and white rushed by and Missy jerked back, startled.

"I say!" a bear head pressed past the bamboo leaves and smirked at Missy, "My cub said humans had moved into our backyard. With his wild imagination, I didn't believe him!"

"I told you we should've torn that house down," another bear sniffed, popping out of the foliage, "Structures like that encourage the jungle creatures to move in."

"Humans don't come from the jungle!" a bear cub tittered.

Missy and the cub exchanged glances, "Parents!"