A Quotidian Mystery - Thriller from the Bayou

sock it to me!

A sweet story that just cannot go untold, although it must be shared anonymously since I haven't asked permission of the family involved:

Last evening, just after sunset, 4 adults were frenetically searching on & under a trampoline with flashlights for 8 missing socks.

This was not an unusual event in this family of 5 younguns & 1 puppy. You see, the dog has a peculiar sock food fetish, which has - not only too frequently occasioned such chinese sock drills, but - already required one late night LSU Vet School endo-procedure & has also resulted in his barfing another up after that sock's 3 day winning battle with canine digestive acids, enzymes & peristalsic tug-o'-wars..

Now, none of the above is funny to any of us. If it will ever be, for now, it's "too soon." So, by sharing their story, I in no way want to diminish the parents' stress or suggest a lack of genuine concern on my part.

HOWEVER, with that backdrop, here's the real mystery - thriller part.

It hadn't taken too very long to both, first, extricate the already half-swallowed black sock from the puppy's throat and, next, to recover the 7 remaining socks from the dark backyard. What had the 4 adults totally baffled, utterly befuddled & still desperately concerned was that none of the other 7 socks was black.

So, with the search, recovery & rescue phases of the mission completed, they then commenced debriefings, starting with the oldest children, who had no light to shed on either where the other black sock might be or, now, where the other white sock might be.

Now, these were no idle interrogations done simply to satisfy adult curiosities. The puppy's well being was at stake. The older sibs were then dispatched to find & fetch the kindergartener, who was their last hope to solve this sock riddle of canine existential import.

By the time the 5 year old appeared, the 8 socks had been laid out on the table like a forensic courtroom exhibit, jury gathered 'round with the latest summoned suspect nonchalantly but very curiously looking on & taking in the fuss.

The father, who shall remain anonymous, asked the 5 year old, whom we'll call Andrew: "Where are the socks you wore to school today?"

Andrew pointed to the evidence display, respectively, indicating one black & one white sock.

Mystery solved.