Tom is two. Tom likes his blue cup.
At snack time, Tom looks. The cup is not on the table.
Tom blinks. “Blue cup?” he says.
Mom smiles. “Let's look, Detective Tom,” she says.
Tom holds a small spoon like a badge. He feels brave and happy.
Clue one: a wet ring on the table. “Sip,” Tom says.
Mom nods. “The cup was here.”
Clue two: tiny blue drops on the floor. Tom points. “Dot! Dot!”
“Good eyes,” Mom says.
Tom follows the dots. He walks slow. Pat, pat, pat.
In the hall he meets Dad. Dad has socks with stars.
Dad asks, “What do you seek?”
“Blue cup,” Tom says.
Dad bends down. “I saw a blue thing near the couch,” he says.
Tom giggles. “Couch!”
Clue three: a little crumb trail. Crumb, crumb. Tom sees it by the couch.
He sees his toy car too. The car has crumbs on it.
Tom taps the car. “Car did it,” he says.
Mom laughs soft. “Maybe the car gave the cup a ride.”
Tom looks under the couch. It is dark, but Mom holds his hand. It feels safe.
Tom shines a tiny light. “Hello, couch,” he says.
He sees a blue shine. He reaches.
Out comes the blue cup! It has one small cracker in it.
Tom claps. “Found!”
Mom wipes the cup. “So the cup went for a drive, then hid for a nap,” she says.
Dad says, “Case closed!”
Tom takes a sip. “Mmm,” he says. He hugs the cup.
He looks at the dots and crumbs. “Next time, cup stay,” he says.
Mom nods. “We can put it on the tray,” she says.
Tom puts the cup on the tray. He smiles big.
Good detectives look with care, ask for help, and then put things back.
