Submission (#1005) Approved

Fabian Flutterbao has decided to do something extra special for Bearlock on this Baonding Bites occasion. Feeling extra whimsical this year, he’s orchestrated a fun way to give the detective a treat. Knowing that the bear loves puzzles just as much as he loves a good snack, Fabian’s made what amounts to a mystery for Bearlock to solve.

It starts early in the morning one day, when Bearlock wakes up and goes to his front door to get the morning newspaper. “By Jove!,” Bearlock exclaims, seeing a basket of fresh cut flowers and a book beside his newspaper. “Who left this here? What a mystery!”

Unbaoknownst to him, Fabian was hiding around the corner of Bearlock’s home, feeling very pleased with himself. The game was afoot! Or, perhaps apaw!

Bearlock trundled off into his home with all three items, mumbling to himself about a possible secret admirer. Rather than sit at his kitchen table reading the newspaper that morning, he takes a closer look at the book and basket.

The book is about the language of flowers, explaining that there’s a secret meaning for each one. Secret messages can be passed through bouquets if one understands the code!

“Intriguing!,” Bearlock says, pawing through the book to try and figure out what the flowers in the basket mean. There’s viscaria, which means ‘Will you dance with me?,’ meant to invite Bearlock to the challenge. Then there’s pink hyacinths for ‘play,’ and forsythia for ‘anticipation.’ Then, most importantly, there’s a sprig of rosemary for ‘remembrance,’ and tied to the rosemary is a toothpick from Rosebeary’s Bistro.

“I think I have it!,” Bearlock says at last, jumping up to get ready and leave in a great hurry. Very excited by the hunt ahead, he grabs the book on his way out and heads for Rosebeary’s cafe.

“Rosebeary! Rosebeary!,” Bearlock says, having very impatiently waited to get to the front of the line. “I received a clue this morning that’s led me here! Do you know anything about the flower basket left on my doorstep this morning?”

“No,” Rosebeary says with equal impatience, having far too long of a line behind Bearlock to entertain him for long. “But I do know something about the arrangement left here for you. It’s already paid for, so take it and be on your way,” he says a little rudely, grabbing a basket from behind the counter and giving it to Bearlock.

Bearlock makes an excited noise, grabbing it and hurrying off to find a seat so he can pick through it. The flowers are yellow poppies and mixed nasturtium for ‘success,’ magenta zinnias for ‘affection,’ a crown of roses for ‘reward of merit,’ and in the middle of the arrangement he finds a Lovely Lollipop just for him!

“Oh, what a thoughtful gift!,” Bearlock says happily, taking the candy out to unwrap it.

“I’m very glad you liked it,” Fabian says, having fluttered over while Bearlock was so preoccupied. “A Baonding Bite from me to you!”

Bearlock heartfeltly thanks his friend for the book, the mystery, and the yummy snack.