Barnaby Buttercup, a badger with a penchant for baking, faced a License Occupation Crisis! He desperately needed a permit to sell his famous blueberry muffins at the annual Woodland Food Fair. The problem? Officer Olivia Owl, the only permit issuer, believed only “serious” professions deserved licenses.
Barnaby waddled into Olivia’s office, muffins practically radiating deliciousness. “Good morning, Officer Owl! I’m here to apply for a baking license.”
Olivia, perched on her high stool, hooted. “Baking? A serious occupation? Mr. Buttercup, we’re facing a shortage of essential licenses! Tree surgeons, acorn accountants… things of vital importance! What makes your muffins so vital?”
Barnaby puffed out his chest. “Vital to happiness, ma’am! One bite of my blueberry bliss and even a grumpy grizzly starts tap dancing!”
Olivia remained unmoved. “Impress me, badger. What’s so special about your recipe?”
Barnaby hesitated. “Well… it’s a family secret, passed down through generations. It involves… chanting to the blueberries under a full moon.”
Olivia raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Chanting?”
“And… a pinch of squirrel dandruff,” Barnaby confessed sheepishly.
Olivia’s beak dropped. “Squirrel… dandruff?” She paused, then leaned forward conspiratorially. “Alright, alright. I’ll give you the license. But only because… well, my nephew, Bartholomew, is a squirrel. And frankly, his dandruff problem is horrendous. Maybe your muffins can somehow… fix him! Officially, it’s a culinary ‘research grant’, understand?” She stamped the license with a wink. “Just… promise me one thing, Mr. Buttercup.”
“Anything!” Barnaby exclaimed.
“Don’t let Bartholomew find out about the secret ingredient. He’s a very sensitive squirrel.”
