I know this doesn't just happen to me. As far as I know it's a universal phenomenon, transcending all space and time. I'm positive, even in thousands of years time, millions of lightyears across the galaxy, people (or things or whatever) will be wondering: where the hell do the stubs of pencils go?
I mean seriously, how often do you see a pencil shorter than 5cm? You buy pencils, you use them, you sharpen them, but unless you keep extremely close tabs on them (which few people DO on their pencils, unless they're weird sub-human things, like that Jade/muppet thing on Big Brother, or David Beckham) they'l dissapear before you use them down to the bottom.
Now this is probably easily explained by one of those far fetched ideas, like science, probability, logical thinking or common sense. But here on this website we say NO to all of those, simply because it's shorter than yes and we like to shout.
So, what can explain them? It can't be as simple as humans forgetful/dismissive nature. It could be anything.
Initially I suspected the furry blue people that live behind the sink. Well, actually initially I suspected Mark, but that's because I always initially suspect Mark. But, of course it couldn't be the furry blue people, as they don't like the taste of graphite.
Which then led to me wonder, why would something, or someone, be stealing short pencils? I don't think I can know this, that whatever is stealing the pencils has a motive far beyond (or even below) my own comprehension. So, instead of trying to fathom what or why, I'm asking all of you to join me in attempting to catch the culprit(s). Below I have drawn a diagram of various techniques you might try...
Whoever catches one of whatever, or a picture of them in the act, I will eternally honour on the website, and if the photo is CONCLUSIVE PROOF I might even offer a reward. Happy hunting.