Who Ate the Cake?

When Dad got home on Friday evening, the chocolate cake he had left in the fridge had disappeared. All that remained was an empty plate and a smear of chocolate on the kitchen floor. He called his children, Ben and Lila, into the kitchen and folded his arms.

“Did either of you open the fridge?” he asked. “I did,” Ben admitted. “I took some milk.” “Did you see the cake?” “Yes, but I didn’t touch it.” Dad turned to Lila. “And you? Where did you go after school?” “To Mia’s house,” she said. “Did you get home before Mum?” “No, she was already here.”

Dad took out a notebook and wrote everything down like a detective. “What time did Mum arrive? Who opened the door?” “She got back at four,” Ben said. “She opened the door, and Rocky ran straight into the kitchen.” Dad stopped writing. “Did Rocky go in there? What did he do?”

Ben stared at the floor. “He sat next to the table. Then Mum left the room.” Dad bent down and looked under the table. There was Rocky, the family dog, fast asleep, with a brown, sticky nose.

“Rocky,” said Dad, “did you eat the cake?” The dog didn’t answer, but his tail thumped once on the floor, and the whole family burst out laughing.