Introducing: Iceburgh the Penguin

"Oh, what do we have here?" The woman reached back into a pile of oranges and pulled out a fluffy stuffed penguin. "Awww, how cute! What am I supposed to do with him?"

I turned to my mom and chuckled. Only at "Trader Joe's" is a shopper granted the satisfaction of finding a furry friend hidden among the produce.

"Ahh, you've found Iceburgh!" an enthusiastic employee popped up from the other side of the fruit display.

"Okay, so now what?"

"Well, it's a thing for the kids. They find the penguin and get a prize. Do you have a little one?"

"No, not with me" the lady laughed, "I have a little granddaughter, though. Does that count?"

"Sorry!" the employee threw up her hands. "I'm afraid not"

"I'm a little one!" I spoke up, half joking.

But she just smiled and went back to stacking her pears.

"You could find the penguin, Missy." My mom nudged me "Go take it up to the counter and see what they say."

It was worth a try. I took "Iceburgh" and, presenting him to a man near the front of the store, exclaimed in my youngest voice, "Excuse me sir, I but found this penguin over there."

"Good for you!" he said "Come on over here and pick out a little something."

I followed him eagerly to the basket. What would the prize be? An awesome Trader Joe hat? A colorful pin? A reusable shopping bag? A roll of those cool stickers they give away at the checkout? The suspense was killing me!

I peered into the basket AND....... my heart sank.

Candy. And fruit strips.

Wow.

No wonder this game was for "little ones".

"Oh, thank you!" I beamed at him.

"You're welcome! And you know the coolest part? Now you get to hide him wherever you want!"

 That did sound pretty neat.

And so, Iceburgh and I proceeded throughout the store searching for his next hiding place. We parted ways at the grits, which I chose because of their excellent black and white camoflauge, and bid each other farewell.

Another of my Trader Joe adventures had come to a close, but, as far as I know,  for good old Iceburgh the penguin, his were just beginning.