The Case Files Of D.A.: Gem & Minerals
By Matthew Anderson
In a town called Colorado Springs lives an 11-year-old boy. His parents call him Matthew. Everyone else calls him ‘Dictionary’ because he reads the dictionary a lot. One day he decides to open a detective agency in the garage and use a ping-pong table for a desk. He finds a big piece of cardboard and writes:
Anderson Detective Agency
No case too small
50 cents per day
And that is the beginning of his detective agency.
The Case Of The Old Map
One day a kid, called John Reagan, comes into the Anderson Detective Agency. Dictionary Anderson says, “Are you related to Ronald Reagan?” John says, “No I just have his last name. Anyway, I have a map and I don't know what it is for.” As Dictionary receives the map, he notices it's a map of Colorado. On the map there are two ‘X’ marks in Park County and the word ‘pitdah.’ Dictionary grabs a Hebrew dictionary. Then Dictionary says “That will be 50 cents. I already know the answer.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Bible Puzzle
As Dictionary sits in his office, a kid, called Ed John, comes in to his office. He says, “I have a scripture puzzle which is part of my Bible study. I am trying to remember the verse but can't. Can you help me finish it?” He gives Dictionary the puzzle, and it reads, “Faith is more precious than what?” Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents please.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Saw
A kid, called Tom Jake, walks into the Anderson Detective Agency. He says, “I just joined a lapidary group. I am going there tomorrow to get my rock cut. I am told there is something special on the blade of the saw that helps to cut the rock. Do you know what it is?” Then Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Riddle
As Dictionary and his pals are playing baseball, a kid, called Jason Rogers, comes running up. He says “Hey Dictionary! I have a riddle. Can you help me? If I solve it, I get the prize.” Then he tells the riddle, “What's a wolf's favorite gem?” Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Laser
One day a kid, called Robert Becker, walks into the Anderson Detective Agency. He says, “I'm collecting rocks and I learned there is a crystal used in a laser. This laser was created in 1960. Do you know what crystal is in there?” Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Oyster
As Dictionary and Ed John are playing catch with a baseball in Dictionary's front yard, a kid comes running up to them. He says, “My name is Greg Watterson. My parents are testing me on oysters because we are going to buy an oyster farm. I got all the questions right except for this one.” Dictionary reads the question, “An irritant is put in the oyster so that it produces what?” Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of Wyoming
As Dictionary bounces his basketball to the court, a kid stops him. The kid says, “My name is Ralph Cassell, and I'm learning about states. Did you know that the Wyoming collectable quarter is coming out in 2007?” Dictionary answers, “Yes.” So Ralph asks, “But do you know what is Wyoming's state gem?” Dictionary says, “Yes, and that will be 50 cents.”
The Case Of The Hummingbird
As Dictionary plays in the snow, a kid comes running up to him. He says, “My name is Jeff Graves, and I'm learning about birds. Did you know that hummingbirds could fly backwards?” Dictionary answers, “Yes.” Then Jeff says, “Anyway, I can't remember one hummingbird’s name. All I can remember is that it's named after a blue gemstone and lives in South America.” Dictionary says, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Wise Men
As Dictionary plays with his ball and cup, a kid comes up to him. He says, “My name is George Park, and I'm 6 years old. My parents are teaching me about the Bible. I'm supposed to find out how the wise men got to Jesus.” Dictionary answered, “That will be 50 cents.” Then George asks, “Can I play with that ball and cup?” Dictionary says, “Sure.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Medals
As Dictionary and his friends play flag football, Dictionary runs in a touchdown. The leading scorer waits for Dictionary and says, “Nice touchdown, but you are still behind me. If this game was in the Olympics, do you know what medal you would get?” Dictionary responds, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Watches
As Dictionary plays on the swings at the playground, a kid comes up to him. He says, “My name is Jim Taylor, and I'm learning about watches. I can't remember what people put in the watches. I think they use some sort of mineral to act as a time base. Do you know what it is?” Dictionary answers, “Sure do, and I also know that this rock can be used as flint to make a fire. That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Movie Trivia
As Dictionary flies his kite, a kid comes up to him and says, “Nice kite flying! My name is Sean Alexander, and I have a book of movie trivia. I'm trying to solve all of the questions, but I am stuck on one.” He reads the question, “To what city did the yellow brick road lead?” Dictionary answers, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Anniversary Gift
As Dictionary makes a rubber band ball, his next client arrives. The kid says, “I have seen one bigger. Anyway, my name is George Russell. My parents are having an 8th wedding anniversary party. They told me to buy them a traditional gemstone as a gift but not aventurine or bronze. Do you know what I should get?” Dictionary answers, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The French Fry
As Dictionary plays with his lasso, a kid comes up to him. He says, “My name is James Fry. I'm learning French. I forgot the English word for ‘grenat’.” Dictionary asks, “Why do you need to remember that?” James answers, “Because my parents are French but moved here when I was a baby, and they want me to learn how to speak the language.” Dictionary says, “Ok. That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know?
The Case Of The Patriotic Song
As Dictionary builds a snow speeder out of lego, he hears the doorbell. At the door is Ralph Cassell. He says, “Hi! I'm still learning about states. There are six states that have the same official state rock. It is the same rock that Katharine Lee Bates was standing on when the opening lines of 'America the Beautiful' sprang into being. If you can tell me what she was standing on, I can solve the states.” Dictionary answers, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know? Can you guess the states?
The Case Of The Twelve Stones
Dictionary decides to go to the park. As he starts out, a kid stops him and says, “My name is Charlie Bullion. I hear you are knowledgeable about gems, but I think I can stump you. What is the 8th stone in Aaron's breastplate?” Dictionary answers, “That will be 50 cents.” Charlie responds, “But do you know what tribe it stands for?” Dictionary answers, “OK, we’ll call it even.”
What did Dictionary know? What didn’t he know?
The Case Of The Greek Island
As Dictionary reads his new poem book, he hears the doorbell. At the door is Jason Rogers. Jason says, “Hi Dictionary! I'm learning about the Greek language. Do you know what gem took its name from the Greek word for an island in the Red Sea? I’ll give you a hint. The island is also named after an apostle.” Dictionary answers, “That will be 50 cents.”
What did Dictionary know? Can you name the apostle?
