Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Inside the Top Secret Art Lab there were a bunch of art scientists working on paintings and statues. Lulu Emu led us to a painting of a flower. It was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen. Being a plant, I know a thing or two about beautiful flowers! And this one was good-looking! "Big deal," said Nina. "Look!" said Lulu Emu. "We have just found this painting by Leonardo da Vinci." "Who?" I asked.

"Leonardo da Vinci was a famous painter and inventor who lived a long time ago," said Lulu Emu. "Did he always paint flowers?" I asked. "No," said Lulu Emu. "He painted pretty ladies, horses, a flying machine, and many other things. In fact, he also painted The Mona Spaghetti, which you just saw. But this painting is the only flower painting he ever made." "It's very pretty," I said. "But what's the BIG DEAL mystery about it?"

"Well, we think that da Vinci left a secret message! Look!" Lulu Emu pointed to the bottom of the painting. There was a yellow blob down there. "Big deal," said Nina. I had to agree with Nina. Had Lulu Emu called me just to look at a yellow blob? "That doesn't really seem like a BIG DEAL mystery to me," I said. "But it is a big deal," replied Lulu Emu. "Leonardo da Vinci was one of the smartest people ever. He may have left this message to give us great wisdom—or maybe even the secret of life." I looked at the yellow blob. I did not see wisdom. I did not see the secret of life. I saw only a yellow blob. "Or," said Lulu Emu, "maybe it's the secret to finding a great treasure." I got out my magnifying glass.

"Push me closer, Nina. I want a better look." "You didn't say 'please,'" said Nina. "OK, please push me closer." She shoved my skateboard with a hoof, and I rolled over to the painting.