Sugar Land’s Candy Crook

Written by Moe Zilla

Here's a game for Christmas time. Solve a mystery that will rhyme!

A fairy tale, it's true -- but some rhymes will hold a clue

hidden in a poem that's grand, telling you of Sugar Land!

It's a magic kingdom bright. Wonder fills each sound and sight.

With sweet smells in the air, candy canes are everywhere!

Yummy treats on bushes grow, chocolate rivers always flow.

Animals are extra nice in this yummy paradise.

Puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds, they know how to talk with words!

Prowling is a sassy cat with white fur, who likes to chat.

He's a fighter, tough and furry. Very few things make him scurry.

Seen a bulldog? He won't fear it. (Only water -- won't go near it!)

Rupert is his name -- but look! Drinking soda by the brook

is a white horse standing tall. Is he skittish? Not at all.

He's named Pride, and where he goes, in the wind his white mane blows.

He runs freely, with no stirrup, and eats only maple syrup.

There's a bunny reading books talking to a fox that cooks!

("My name's Lancelot," he'll say, "share a meal with me today!")

And who else is using words in this magic kingdom? Birds!

Though they won't make a squawk, because each flamingo likes to talk!

And on a throne sits good King Ted. He's made out of gingerbread!

In a crown and robe so fine, wearing royal boots that shine,

he tells jokes and lessons wise that brings smiles to everyone’s eyes.

With his daughter, Princess Boo, every day seems bright and new.

But young Boo was sad today. Someone took her treats away!

"In a basket by the brook, I had candy saved -- but look!

Late last night, while we all slept Someone towards my candy crept!”

King Ted was mad: “See the footprints by the water? "Which of you has robbed my daughter?"

Then the King made a proclamation: "We'll launch an investigation.

of this crime so dark and bitter. Search the kingdom, every critter!"

In that second, birds were flapping lots of wings, while fiercely yapping,

rising up into the sky. Boo's sweet snacks they hoped to spy.

Birds cast shadows on the ground. Animals searched all around,

sniffing sharply for a scent leading to where the candy went.

Rabbits, puppies, foxes too, All prowling the river for a clue.

"I will help" said the horse. (He'd locate the clues, of course.)

"We must find the treats," said Pride, taking along Rupert for the ride.

On the horse's back, the cat proudly brushed his whiskers back.

"Who likes candy treats so badly?" "Everyone," said Rupert, sadly.

"Would it make a friend -- a crook? Drawn to thieving by the brook?

In our kingdom, sweet and glad, would they turn from good to bad?"

Pride and Rupert scanned marshmallow hedges, seeking clues around their edges.

And so they galloped faster, heading for surprise disaster.

Soon the speedy horse had stumbled. At the road's sharp bend he tumbled!

Rupert flailed in the air, yowling angry curse words there.

Hidden where the trees were thinner, they found Lancelot cooking dinner!

"Hey!" Lancelot yelled, as Pride rolled through, splashing his warm pot of stew.

Lancelot complained his courses weren't immune to falling horses.

"Here's the dish I'd have enjoyed. Thanks to you, it's been destroyed!

I brewed my stew with this racket. Now, it has ended up on your jacket!"

Rupert's kitty fur was also soaked in food. "Sorry, Lancelot" he mewed.

But Lancelot the fox laughed: "You look silly. Covered in my dinner – now your fur is frilly!”

Rupert licked his whiskers clean, dreaming up a comeback mean.

"Let it cook another hour. I won't wear this. It's too sour!"

They all laughed, as Pride explained why his stew they'd all just drained:

"We hurried for Princess Boo. So sorry we messed up your stew!”

Lancelot then wished them luck, smiling at their fur full of muck.

"Hope you find the kingdom's traitor. And Boo gets her candies later!”

As the search dragged on so weary, Pride composed the strangest theory.

“Maybe searching for the blame was a kind of royal game.

Could King Ted had hidden the treasure so we'd search, just for his pleasure?”

Rupert gave a darker look. Maybe they'd just met the crook.

"With a dish, that fox is handy Maybe he's cooking Boo's candy!"

Was the cat quick in attacking -- as a tactic for distracting?

Pride gave him a piercing look. Was this cat the candy's crook?

Rupert also eyed the pony. Was his search for clues a phony?

Maybe Boo's treats, sweet and yummy, Were already in his tummy!

They were not alone in their search. Throughout the forests, all animals lurched.

Puppies pranced across the field, hoping clues would be revealed.

Every inch of ground was covered! No lost candies were discovered.

Soon night fell and no words were spoken. Happiness in Sugar Land was broken.

Cookies turned into dust, withering from lack of trust.

Flying birds returned quite ruffled, their voices shyly muffled.

Pride with Rupert sadly trotted, Mourning clues they hadn't spotted.

In the distance, slowly drumming Cookie Castle's guard was coming.

They knew no reward was earned. And towards the castle they'd returned.

King Ted would hear sorry news. But someone possessed new clues!

Princess Boo would not go easy on a crime so foul and sleazy.

"Why rely on talking cats or dad's funny royal hats,

Bird or horse or magic elf? I can solve this crime myself!"

Her own brain was not defective. She could be her own detective!

Boo announced with pride and glee what would be her royal philosophy.

In the splendid court that night she would finally set things right!

Boo reviewed each suspect who might offer a subtle clue.

She studied the details found from their searches of the ground.

Then, amazed, the kingdom looked while Boo named the candy crook!