I just received a phone call from 7777 South Bay Drive. The owners said that their Christmas is now in the dark and the Christmas tree is down. There are no clues and they need help solving the mystery.

I open the front door and I can see the Christmas tree on the floor with the lights out and limbs broken. Some of the gifts seem to be unwrapped and torn. I will start interviewing the suspects and witnesses.

The Nephew: Chris

I was in the rec room watching TV when I heard the crash upstairs. The tree was on the floor, the gifts were torn and the lights were out on the tree. That’s when I called you.

The Niece: Kelsey

I was in my room on my laptop taking my writing class on
the Internet, when I heard a loud crash downstairs. Chris and I met in the kitchen after the crash and we called you.

The Bird: Squawk Box

When I first saw the tree, I thought what a great reminder of my home in the jungle. It’s been years since I have seen a tree. I could not wait! I opened the latch on my cage and flew to the near top of the tree and made a nest to relax. I was on vacation! No sooner than I got comfortable, the tree came crashing to the floor like the trees in my jungle. I miss my vacation spot!

The dog: Chewy

I could smell it down the hall! The dog treats under the tree! Chicken, cheese, fish, lamb and sweet potato flavored treats! They were in one of those boxes under the tree with all of those lights! I just had to find out which one! So I chewed the wrapping paper off some of the gifts until the tree started to fall! I ran for the doggie pillow in the hall for safety!

The Gold Fish: Fish and Bowl

We saw everything! Squawk Box flying into the tree, Chewy chewing the gifts and…….Sox the cat knocking down the tree and the lights went out!

The Cat: Sox

The tree smelled so good! It looked like it would make a great scratching post! I just could not resist it! I walked under the tree and placed my paws on the trunk and began to scratch when the lights went out and tree tipped back and I got this terrible feeling and my fur stood up and I was thrown back against the wall. I’ll never try to scratch one of those trees again!

Well, it looks like you’ll have to create another Christmas at 7777 South Bay Drive. The only surprises that you have are a dark Christmas tree, unwrapped gifts, several scared pets and a guilty dog and cat. I guess we will leave it at that! Since you have some shopping to do, I’ll send you my bill after January two! Another mystery solved by the Thumbprint Detective!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!