Lala the squirrel was known throughout the forest for one thing—her insatiable curiosity. While most squirrels were content to gather nuts and chatter in the trees, Lala always wanted to know why things were the way they were. Why did acorns taste different in the fall? Why did pinecones open after the rain? But today, her question was simpler: What is so special about peanuts?
She had overheard the blue jays chirping excitedly about a picnic that the nearby campers were having, and apparently, there were salted peanuts. Lala had never tasted a salted peanut before. Acorns? Dozens. Walnuts? Of course. But salted peanuts? Never. That was about to change.
She scampered down from her oak tree and followed the scent of roasted nuts. The forest opened up into a sunny clearing where a checkered picnic blanket lay spread with all kinds of human food. Lala’s eyes locked on a small bowl filled with golden, shiny peanuts.
Cautiously, she crept closer, dodging a child’s shoe and a curious dog. With one swift leap, she grabbed a peanut and darted back into the woods.
Perched safely on a branch, Lala sniffed the prize. It smelled different—salty, roasted, almost smoky. She took a bite and her eyes widened. Crunchy. Salty. Delicious! It was unlike anything she’d ever eaten. She nibbled another, then another, and before she knew it, the peanut was gone.
But Lala wasn’t done. Inspired, she decided to mix her forest favorites with this new discovery. She found wild berries, crushed acorns, and tiny bits of honeycomb, mixing them together with more peanuts she bravely “borrowed” from the picnic. The result? A sticky, nutty, sweet-and-salty treat that had all the forest animals lining up for a taste.
From that day forward, Lala became the forest’s first gourmet snack creator. And it all started with one little question and one crunchy peanut.
