It was a big, happy day in the town! Colorful flags danced in the wind. Everyone was excited. Today was the Golden Bone Contest! Detective Dot walked into the town square. “Wow! What a fun day!” said Dot.
In the middle of the square was a big treasure box. Inside was a shiny Golden Bone! Everyone came to see it. But then… GONE! The Golden Bone had disappeared! “Help! Help!” cried Mr. Bark. “Our Golden Bone is missing!”
“Don’t worry!” said Dot. “I will find it!” Dot took out her big magnifying glass. She looked at the ground. She looked under the box. Then she saw something. “Look!” said Dot. “Paw prints!”
Dot followed the paw prints. First, she met Cat. “Cat, did you take the Golden Bone?” “No!” said Cat. “I like fish, not bones!” Dot walked on. Then she met Rabbit. “Rabbit, did you take the Golden Bone?” “No!” said Rabbit. “I like carrots, not bones!”
Dot followed the paw prints into the garden. She saw flowers and a big bush. Dot sniffed the ground. Sniff, sniff! “Mmm… I smell something!” She looked closer. Muddy paw prints! The prints went behind the big bush.
Dot looked behind the bush. “Something is here!” she said. She started to dig. Dig, dig, dig! Dirt flew everywhere! Then… CLINK! Dot stopped. “What was that?” She dug again.
Dot's eyes grew big. There it was! The shiny Golden Bone! “I found it!” Dot shouted. But suddenly… “Woof!” A little white puppy jumped out from behind the bush. His name was Max.
Dot looked at Max. “Max, did you take the Golden Bone?” Max looked down. The Golden Bone was under his collar! “I didn't steal it!” Max said. “I found it and buried it to keep it safe.” Max looked sad. “But I forgot where I put it!”
Dot smiled. “So you didn't mean to steal it?” Max shook his head. “No!” Dot picked up the Golden Bone. “I understand,” she said. “Mystery solved!” Mr. Bark smiled. “Thank you, Detective Dot!”
Everyone cheered! The Golden Bone was home again! Max was happy. Mr. Bark was happy. Dot smiled too. “You were a great detective, Dot!” everyone shouted. Dot put away her magnifying glass. Then she heard… “Woof! Woof!” Dot smiled. “Hmm… Is there another mystery?” THE END… OR IS IT?