Ella and Sophie’s cheese puffs vanish without a trace, leading them to a wildly funny hunt filled with absurd suspects, ridiculous traps, and a surprising culprit.
Age Recommendation
5 - 12 years
Characters of The Battle of the Missing Cheese Puffs
Characters:
- Ella (a dramatic and snack-obsessed detective wannabe)
- Sophie (Ella’s best friend, who has a knack for pointing out the obvious)
- Benny (Ella’s mischievous cat, who may or may not be guilty)
Story of The Battle of the Missing Cheese Puffs
Ella and Sophie sat on the living room floor, surrounded by a half-built blanket fort and a pile of snacks. At least, there *had* been snacks—until the cheese puffs disappeared. Ella was holding an empty orange-streaked bag like it was evidence in a court case.
Ella: It’s gone. GONE! Someone has stolen the cheese puffs.
Sophie: (munching on a granola bar) Are you sure you didn’t just eat them all?
Ella: Sophie, please. I have the appetite of a sparrow, and the heart of a detective. This is a case of foul play.
Sophie: You have the appetite of a bear.
Ella: That’s irrelevant! Now, let’s focus. Who had the motive, means, and opportunity?
Sophie: Um, everyone? They’re cheese puffs.
Ella squinted at Sophie suspiciously. “Are you saying you’re a suspect?” Sophie rolled her eyes. “Let’s check the cat first.”
The First Suspect
Benny the cat was lounging in the sun, licking his paw with an air of innocence. Too much innocence. Ella leaned in close, narrowing her eyes.
Ella: Benny, where were you at approximately two minutes ago?
Sophie: (raising an eyebrow) You’re interrogating a cat?
Ella: Don’t let his fluffy exterior fool you. He’s been eyeing the cheese puffs for weeks. Look at his whiskers—they’re orange!
Sophie: (snorting) That’s Cheeto dust from last week.
Benny yawned dramatically and walked away, flicking his tail like he had better things to do.
Sophie: Well, that clears him.
Ella: Or does it?
The Trap Is Set
Ella hatched a plan. “We’ll set a trap,” she announced, pulling out another bag of cheese puffs. She carefully placed a handful on a plate and set it in the middle of the room. “Now we wait.”
Sophie sighed. “This feels like a lot of effort for cheese puffs.”
Ella: It’s not about the cheese puffs, Sophie. It’s about justice!
They hid behind the couch, peeking over the edge like detectives in a bad movie. Minutes passed. Then, a shadow crept toward the plate. It was Benny, slinking forward with the precision of a tiny orange ninja.
Ella: (whispering) I knew it!
Before Benny could reach the plate, a loud crunch filled the air. Sophie froze. Ella turned slowly.
Ella: Sophie...
Sophie: (mouth full) What? I got hungry.
The Unexpected Culprit
At that moment, a gust of wind blew through the open window, sending the empty cheese puff bag fluttering across the room. Ella gasped. “The thief!” she cried, pointing dramatically. The culprit was revealed: a family of squirrels perched on the windowsill, their cheeks stuffed with orange snacks.
Sophie: Well, that explains a lot.
Ella: (glaring) You mean it explains why you ate half the bait?
The squirrels chattered indignantly and leaped back outside, leaving a trail of cheese puff crumbs. Benny, looking unimpressed, hopped onto the couch and promptly fell asleep.
Sophie: So... now what?
Ella: (grabbing the remaining cheese puffs) We eat what’s left, rebuild the fort, and never speak of this again.
Sophie: Deal.
And with that, the Great Cheese Puff Heist came to an end—not with justice, but with a lot of laughs and a slightly orange cat.
The end.
Moral of the Story
Sometimes, the best part of a mystery is the fun you have trying to solve it. And always keep your snacks away from squirrels!
Questions to Think About
- Why did Ella suspect Benny first?
- How did the open window change the investigation?
- What was Sophie’s role in the adventure?
- Have you ever laughed so much during a silly situation like Ella and Sophie?
Do You Know
- Squirrels can carry multiple snacks in their cheeks to store for later.
- Cats often act guilty even when they haven’t done anything wrong—it’s just their nature!
Word Explorer
- Interrogate: To ask questions in a serious way to find out the truth.
- Suspect: Someone or something that might be involved in a mystery.
- Indignant: Feeling annoyed or angry about something unfair.
Emotions in the Story
- Frustration: When Ella realized the cheese puffs were gone.
- Excitement: As the shadow approached the bait plate.
- Laughter: When the squirrels turned out to be the culprits.
Color Your Scene
Imagine Ella and Sophie peeking over the couch while Benny sneaks toward the cheese puff plate. The plate glows under a beam of sunlight, and squirrels chatter mischievously at the window. What colors would you use to show the humor and mystery?
Parents' Corner
Talk with your child about how Ella and Sophie found humor in their situation. Discuss how laughter and teamwork can make any problem more fun to solve!
