One sunny afternoon, Kiwi and Taro were deep in a game of forest scouts when a heavenly scent stopped them in their tracks.
“Do you smell that?” Taro asked.
“It’s divine. Could it be a new fruit?” Kiwi mused.
“Who cares what it is; it’s my new favorite smell,” Taro chuckled.
Curiosity piqued, they followed their noses, discovering a set of tracks along the way.
“Footprints! These must lead to whoever’s cooking up that incredible aroma,” Kiwi said, already salivating at the thought.
But their trail soon vanished, erased by their jokester friend Tang. Frustrated and increasingly hungry, Taro and Kiwi considered giving up their quest.
“Guess it’s time to call it a day,” Kiwi sighed.
Just then, Tang popped out from a bush, apology at the ready. “Wait! What if we turn detectives? Let’s interview the forest animals; they must know something.”
“Brilliant, Tang. We’re on it,” Kiwi declared.
Their first interviewee was Jujube the Maroon Bear, renowned for his keen nose. “Oh yes, the forest smells exceptionally like spikey fruits today,” Jujube confirmed.
Taro jotted this down and asked, “Any idea where it’s coming from?”
“North,” Jujube said, nodding confidently.
Racing northward, they encountered Lychee the Pale Parrot, who couldn’t offer much help due to a cold. “Sorry, guys. Haven’t smelled or seen anything unusual.”
Feeling deflated, the trio contemplated abandoning their culinary expedition. Just when all seemed lost, they met Durian, the Amber Owl.
“Looking for the scent of spikey fruits?” Durian asked.
“Yes!” Kiwi lit up. “Seen anything?”
“As a matter of fact, I saw Jackfroot carrying baskets of spikey fruits last night,” Durian shared. “He was in a hurry and didn’t share, but he went that way,” he pointed north.
With renewed hope, they reached Jackfroot’s home to find his famous durian cake cooling on the windowsill. Jackfroot had been planning to share it all along!
The friends indulged in the cake, and their taste buds danced in delight. They’d cracked the case and found a new favorite treat. The day had been a win on all fronts: a mystery solved, a cake enjoyed, and a lesson learned—the forest is full of surprises if only you know where to sniff.