A talking owl is reputed to have finally discovered the number of licks needed to get to the center of a Tootsie-Pop. However, on his way to an interview with a NY Times reporter in which it is said he would have revealed the long-held corporate secret, his vehicle went off a cliff in a single-car accident that police are calling 'suspicious'.
Rumors of the owl's discovery shook the stock market in Candyland and resulted in early volatility and price drops. When news of the owl's death broke, stability returned and, by day's end of trading, shares of Tootsie-Pops finished up a half-percent. Some industry critics have suggested that the candy makers orchestrated the alleged accident to protect stock values in advance of a proposed merger between Tootsie-Pop and the Fruit Roll-Up company, but as yet no firm evidence has been presented.
A spokesman for the Tootsie-Pop company declined to answer reporters' question and issued a brief statement instead: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Owl's family and loved ones. Obviously, this is a tragic event, but suggestions that our company or anyone affiliated with it might have been responsible for what was -- after all -- an unfortunate accident are irresponsible, unfounded, and unacceptable."
Meanwhile, bewildered and grieving friends are left to ponder the fate of a fowl many hail as a hero. "Mr. Owl was a tireless champion for curious but undisciplined children throughout the world, and now he's gone," said Green M&M. "I don't know if the rumors about his death are true, but it makes you wonder."
Police have released no details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. Asked whether there was any indication of foul play, police spokesman Sgt. James "Slim Jim" Hershey said, "We're doing everything in our power to get to the bottom of this. But the world may never know."
Rumors of the owl's discovery shook the stock market in Candyland and resulted in early volatility and price drops. When news of the owl's death broke, stability returned and, by day's end of trading, shares of Tootsie-Pops finished up a half-percent. Some industry critics have suggested that the candy makers orchestrated the alleged accident to protect stock values in advance of a proposed merger between Tootsie-Pop and the Fruit Roll-Up company, but as yet no firm evidence has been presented.
A spokesman for the Tootsie-Pop company declined to answer reporters' question and issued a brief statement instead: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Owl's family and loved ones. Obviously, this is a tragic event, but suggestions that our company or anyone affiliated with it might have been responsible for what was -- after all -- an unfortunate accident are irresponsible, unfounded, and unacceptable."
Meanwhile, bewildered and grieving friends are left to ponder the fate of a fowl many hail as a hero. "Mr. Owl was a tireless champion for curious but undisciplined children throughout the world, and now he's gone," said Green M&M. "I don't know if the rumors about his death are true, but it makes you wonder."
Police have released no details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. Asked whether there was any indication of foul play, police spokesman Sgt. James "Slim Jim" Hershey said, "We're doing everything in our power to get to the bottom of this. But the world may never know."
