“Someone has tipped over our trash can!” shouted Mom.
Devi ran outside to find trash scattered across the garden and onto the street.
“Don’t worry, Mom. Detective Devi is on the case,” said Devi.
The following week, Devi organized a box of tools to help her catch the Trash Bandit. She had a pair of binoculars, a camera, and a bicycle horn. That night, as everyone slept, Devi became a security guard. She peered through the window. The streetlight shone brightly.
“I can’t believe this happened again!” said Mom.
The bandit had struck! Trash was everywhere! Devi saw a piece of red leather on the ground. She was positive that it didn’t come from her trash can, so she placed it in her toolbox.
The following week, Devi drank five cups of water so she could stay awake throughout the night. Then, she organized her toolbox. She had binoculars, a camera, a bicycle horn, and the piece of red leather. Devi peered out through the window once again.
“I think we need a security camera,” said Mom.
The bandit had struck! Trash was everywhere! Devi spotted a clump of brown fur on the ground. She was certain that it didn’t come from her trash can, so she put it in her toolbox.
The following week, Devi drank five cups of water and had an afternoon nap so that she could stay awake throughout the night.
Then she organized her toolbox. Devi had binoculars, a camera, a bicycle horn, the piece of red leather, and the clump of brown fur. Devi peered out through the window for even longer this time.
“I must call the security company to install some cameras around the house,” said Mom, with a sigh.
The bandit had struck again! Trash was everywhere!
Devi saw a piece of broken bone on the ground. She was sure that it didn’t come from her trash can, so she put it in her toolbox.
Devi then gave her mom a hug. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m close to catching the Trash Bandit!”
Later that evening, Devi wore her extra-itchy pajamas. She was determined to stay awake this time.
Then she organized her toolbox. She had binoculars, a camera, a bicycle horn, the piece of red leather, the clump of brown fur, and the broken bone. Devi peered through the window. The streetlights shone brightly.
“Oh, my goodness,” Mom cried, looking through the window.
Devi ran outside to find her neighbors gathered around her front yard. She made her way through the crowd and saw…
Devi’s next-door neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, was using her garden hose to wash her dog Rusty, who was covered in paint.
Mrs. Henderson explained how Rusty had been jumping over the back fence and rummaging through the neighborhood’s trash bins.
Devi soon realized that the three clues in her toolbox pointed to Rusty. The piece of red leather came from his torn collar; he had a coat of brown fur, and he always buried bones around the backyard.
The following day, Mrs Henderson had two tradesmen at her house.
THWACK. WHAM. THWACK.
“Mrs Henderson will need a high fence to keep Rusty from jumping over it,” thought Devi.
The following week…
Mom had her hands on her hips. The trash can was tipped over once again!
“Who can it be this time?” she groaned.
Devi smiled. “Don’t worry, Mom. Detective Devi is here to help!”
