Who ever heard of unused chimneys, in modern times, raining down soot?

IT

was Izzy who first noticed something strange going on in Eli’s cottage. The cottage was in a quiet corner of the animal center. It had an old-fashioned fireplace that hadn’t been used for years. With modern heating systems, there was no need for a fire.

That’s why it was so strange that showers of soot were falling from the chimney one day. The soot covered Izzy and the carpet with nasty black powder. Izzy tried looking up the chimney to see if he could figure out what was going on. And a shower of soot hit him in the face.

Yuck! thought Izzy, trying hard not to swallow any. I’d better tell Eli right away.

Eli stared in shock at his blackened assistant. What on earth was going on? He listened in surprise to Izzy’s tale, then went to have a look himself.

Plop! Down came some more soot. Eli gasped and spluttered as he got a mouthful. How weird! Who ever heard of unused chimneys, in modern times, raining down soot? Next thing he’d need a chimney sweep, just like in the history books!

Eli thought for a bit, then whipped out his cell phone and dialed — Jolly Solly, of course! If anyone could figure out what was going on, it was the clown!