Six
by Wade Clarke (2011)

Your name is Harriet Leitner, and you and your twin sister Demi turned six this morning! You're having a fancy dress birthday party, and this afternoon you'll be playing Hide and Seek Tip over in the park. You can't wait to catch all your friends.

action: %
response: Your name is Harriet Leitner, it's the January summer school holidays and today has been a great day.

You turned six this morning! And so did your twin sister, Demi. While Demi is your twin, she is not one of those twins who looks the same as you. Mum has explained that that's because you and your sister are something called fraternal twins. You have decided that you like looking just like yourself, and Demi likes it that way, too.

Today, mum and dad are hosting a fancy dress birthday party for the pair of you and six of your friends: Marion, Ayla, Pia, Sam, Vince and Jack. You're dressed as a fairy and your sister is dressed as a witch, which is what each of you wanted.

You all ate heaps of lollies and played games in the morning, and now your parents have taken you to the park for lunch.

While mum and dad are setting up the picnic, you and your friends are getting ready to play a game of hide and seek tip. Your sister is sitting this game out to drink some lemonade and cool down.

You agree to be in, and count with your eyes shut against a tree while your friends run off and hide in the park.

"... Forty-eight..." you shout at the top of your lungs. You think carefully about the next number. It's not easy counting this high, but Demi is good at it and she often helps you practise.

"... Forty-nine..." you shout at the top of your lungs.

"... Fifty! Ready or not, here I come!"

You really want to win this game. It's time to catch your friends.
The Edge of the Park
You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds. The trees here reach for the sky. Most of them are green and bright, but a few look unhappy and are covered in loose, dry leaves which wobble in the breeze. A good wind will blow them free.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.
action: You examine the trees
response: (the unhappy trees)
Unlike the gum trees you can see all around the park, these ones don't look healthy. Their crunchy leaves are out of your reach, but it looks like the wind could blow them free at any time.
action: About yourself
response: You know that in your winged fairy costume you're looking super fairy-ish and pretty - at least you were when you saw yourself in the mirror at home this morning.

You give yourself a quick check over now, and... yes, you still look great!
action: You look behind the trees
response: (the unhappy trees)
You don't find anyone behind any of the unhappy trees. They're not very wide, which makes them hard to hide behind.
action: You look at the flowerbeds
response: There are lots of different kinds of flowers in the flowerbeds. They're so pretty. If you weren't playing tip, you might like to collect some.

--- WHOOSH!

A huge gust of wind suddenly sweeps across the park. "Whooooa!" you cry as your fairy wings start to wobble and pull you along. You grab onto them to make sure you don't fly away.

All the leaves from the dried out trees are raining down on the path around you...

You are now surrounded by hundreds of leaves!

Then, as quickly as it began, the wind drops away. "Whew," you say.
action: You look around
response: You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.
action: Count leaves
response: You don't need to do any counting at the moment. You have people to tip.
action: You go east
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden", and... what was that? You heard someone giggling!

Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.
action: You listen
response: You listen carefully...

Oh, there's a black bird up in one of the trees who just started chirping like crazy! How can you hear anything with that going on? You will have to wait until the birdy decides to be quiet - Ah, there, it stopped. Now you can listen some more.
action: You listen
response: You listen carefully...

Now what?... there's an aeroplane flying through the sky. It's making a lot of noise. You'll need to wait for the aeroplane to fly away before you can have a good listen.
action: You listen
response: You listen carefully...

There, you heard the giggle again! You walk over towards where it came from. You think it came from behind the short, smooth, curly-branched, ugly green tree. This is the tree you will look behind.
action: You look at Tree
response: The trees have been planted in neat lines. There are so many of them! There are tall ones, short ones, smooth and rough ones, pointy ones, curly ones, pretty and ugly ones, and they come in four colours - black, brown, grey and green. Each tree is separated from the next one by a wall of bushes, as if each tree in the Tree Garden has its own little room, and this is stopping you from seeing around all the trees at once. To find out if your friends are hiding behind any of the trees using only your eyes, you would have to look behind each tree, one at a time. What a lot of work!
action: You search curly Tree
response: So you want to search a tree which is curly-branched.

Should this tree be tall or short?

2 - Short
action: 2
response: Should this tree be smooth or rough?

2 - Rough
action: 1
response: Should this tree be pretty or ugly?

2 - Ugly
action: 2
response: Should this tree be black, brown, grey or green?

2 - Brown
3 - Grey
4 - Green
action: 4
response: After a bit of thinking, you have picked out the short, smooth, curly-branched, ugly green tree.

You tiptoe over to the base of the tree to investigate the bushy area around and behind it...

You've found your friend Ayla! She's hiding behind this tree, curled up in a ball with her knees tucked under her chin and her arms wrapped around her head. She is dressed as a princess and her gold crown is about to fall off. She's probably trying to stop herself from giggling or making any other sound. She looks so funny that you want to laugh, but she hasn't heard you coming, so you stay quiet so that you can tip her.
action: Tip ayla
response: You sneak up beside Ayla and say, "Ay-la!" Ayla pops her head up from under her arms to see who's there. "Tip!" you say as you pat her on the shoulder.

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"Heehee", Ayla giggles. "You got me." She stands up and brushes some twigs off her knees, then straightens her crown on her head. "I love hiding."
action: Tip ayla
response: You already tipped her.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Ayla is here.
action: You examine Ayla
response: Ayla is shorter than most of your friends, and she is so cute! She has light brown skin and super smiley eyes. Her black hair comes down to her shoulders and has plaits in it. Today, she is dressed as a princess. Her dress is pink and white, and there's a gold crown on her head. You like how Ayla has trouble stopping herself from giggling.
action: You tickle Ayla
response: You tickle Ayla. "Teeheehee," she says, then she tickles you, and you laugh as well.

"That was fun," says Ayla. "I'll see you at the picnic area." Then she runs away to the west.
action: Go north
response: You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here. Yuck!

Leaning against one of the gum trees is a big girl in red overalls. It looks like she's playing her own game of hide and seek. She has her face pressed into her folded arms so that she can't see, and she's counting out loud.

The big girl says, "Twenty..."
action: You look at the mud
response: It's all gloopy and smelly. It's horrible! Definitely more of a witch's thing.
action: You look at the girl
response: You can't see the girl's face because it's against the tree, but she has dirty blond hair and her clothes are dirty. She looks a bit like a boy.
action: You examine the trees
response: Most of the trees in the park are tall gum trees. They're grey, silver, white and green. Their branches are high up on the trunk and point towards the sky.
action: You search the trees
response: You have a look around but don't find anyone behind any of the gum trees. Most of the gum trees are too thin for a person to hide behind.

The big girl counts, "Twenty-one."
action: You go north
response: You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.
action: You examine the rock
response: The rock is rough and kind of round, and the bottom of it is stuck well into the ground. You wonder if someone could be hiding behind it.
action: You look behind the rock
response: You take a look... There's nobody hiding behind it now.
action: You examine the wall
response: It's wide, it's got the sticky green stuff all over it and it goes up and up.
action: You climb the wall
response: You could never climb up that wall. It's too high, and it's covered in that green stuff, too.
action: You examine the trees
response: Most of the trees in the park are tall gum trees. They're grey, silver, white and green. Their branches are high up on the trunk and point towards the sky.
action: You search the trees
response: You have a look around but don't find anyone behind any of the gum trees. Most of the gum trees are too thin for a person to hide behind.
action: Go north
response: In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west.

To the north is the entrance to the gazebo. The gazebo is a small house with lots of sides, a pointed roof and no walls. (There's a kind of fence where the walls would be.) Sometimes people have picnics on the table inside, but no-one is in there today, and you can see why. A big spider has built his web right across the entrance, and he's sitting in the middle of it. He's almost as large as your hand. How horrible!

Wandering around under the fig tree is Sam the Knight. He is so surprised by your arrival that he wobbles and almost trips over one of the giant tree roots.

"Forsooth!" he says, as he prepares to run away from you.

But what does "forsooth" mean?
action: You look at the web
response: It looks like lots of other spiderwebs you've seen. You don't want to look at it closely because then you'll think about that icky spider.
action: You take spider
response: Spiders creep you out. You don't want to go anywhere near the spider!
action: Chase sam east
response: You swipe at Sam but he jumps back out of your reach. He begins to make his way around to the other side of the tree by jumping and scrambling over the huge roots. It looks like hard work!

You start to follow him and& gosh, this IS hard work! Each root is like a small wall. Some of them you can leap over, some of them you have to stop and climb over. You can hear Sam breathing heavily ahead of you as you chase him.

It is very dark here in the shade of the towering fig tree.

Paths lead around the tree to the west.

Sam is here, trying to catch his breath.
action: Tip sam
response: You dash towards Sam. Again, he escapes from you by circling to the other side of the fig tree, jumping and climbing over its tangle of giant tree roots.
action: Go west
response: Puffing a bit yourself now, you climb over the roots as quickly as you can after Sam.

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.

Sam is here, puffing and panting. His face is red!
action: Examine sam
response: Sam is a bit of a chubber, so his belly sticks out from under his grey armour. He also has a grey helmet wobbling on his head.
action: Chase sam east
response: Sam groans as you run towards him again, then he starts to jump and leap over the roots as he heads for the other side of the tree. Panting a bit yourself now, you climb after him...

It is very dark here in the shade of the towering fig tree.

Paths lead around the tree to the west.

Sam is here, looking exhausted, gulping for air and holding himself up with his hands on his knees.

"Mercy!" he gasps.
action: Tip sam
response: Sam tries to stagger away from you, but he has no energy left, while you have lots.

"Tip!" you say, patting him on the back.

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

Sam says, "I think I'll - gasp - have a rest - puff - here before - pant - I go back... to the picnic area... forsooth..." Then he plops down onto the ground, cross-legged.
action: Look around
response: It is very dark here in the shade of the towering fig tree.

Paths lead around the tree to the west.

Sam is sitting here, recovering his breath.
action: You look at Tree
response: (the Moreton Bay Fig Tree)
This is the biggest tree you've ever seen and it makes the biggest shadows you've ever seen. It's a long way around to the other side, and all of the tree's roots are in the way.
action: You look behind Tree
response: (the Moreton Bay Fig Tree)
Standing here, you can see that nobody's hiding on this east side of the tree.
action: Go west
response: You head west, circling wide around the outside of the fig tree roots.

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.
action: You look under the web
response: Spiders creep you out. You don't want to go anywhere near the spiderweb!
action: Go west
response: There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.
action: You examine the flowers
response: (the flowers)
The flowers are planted in this order in the garden bed rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. The garden bed is so big that you suspect a person could hide behind it.
action: You look behind the bed
response: You take a look... There's nobody hiding behind it now.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a pink dress (being worn)
a pair of fairy wings (being worn)
a pair of red and white sneakers (being worn)
your fairy wand
action: Wave wand
response: You wave your wand in the air. You feel like zapping something.
action: You go east
response: In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.
action: Zap spider
response: You point your wand at the spider and yell out "Zap!"

The spider doesn't move.
action: You get the spider
response: Spiders creep you out. You don't want to go anywhere near the spider!
action: Zap web
response: You point your wand at the spiderweb and yell out "Zap!"

Nothing happens.
action: You hit the spider with the wand
response: If you threw your wand and it got stuck in the web, you would have to go near the web and the spider. Ugh! You're not going to risk doing that.
action: Go west
response: There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.
action: You go west
response: You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

Standing by the roundabout and looking very smart is your friend Marion. She's dressed as a pirate, wearing a white shirt, a red vest and a black pirate's hat, one of those ones shaped like a triangle. She's also carrying a sword, and she's pointing it at you now.

"Ahoy, landlubber!" she cries. "I'm Red Marion and you're on my ship. I challenge you to a duel."

You love how Marion is so good at pretending to be different people. She goes to drama after school, and she says she wants to be in movies.

"What's a duel?" you ask.

"A duel is where you and me have a fight. You try to zap me with your wand and I'll try to zap you with my sword. If you win, you can tip me, but if I win, you have to say I won hide and seek."

"That's not fair!" you say.

"That's the only way you'll get to tip me, landlubber."

What is this "landlubber" thing she keeps saying?

"If you don't win," she adds, "we'll do it again another day and you can win then. That's fair, isn't it? So, are you ready to duel?"

You have a quick think. Will you duel with Marion now? (Y/N)
action: Y.
response: "I'm ready," you say, gripping your wand.

Marion grins and raises her sword. "Right! I challenge you to a duel, landlubber! Winner takes all!"

"Stop calling me landlubber," you say.

"Sorry," says Marion. "Okay, I challenge you to a duel, Harriet."

"Yeah, let's challenge!" you say.

[Author's Note: In the duel, you should use these special commands: ]

ZAP - Type this to try to zap Marion with your wand. If you hit her, you win!
DODGE - Type this to try to run or jump out of the way of one of Marion's attacks.
BLOCK - Type this to try to block one of Marion's attacks with your wand.

If you want to let Marion make the next move, you can try to WAIT.

If you want to see these special commands again, type SPECIAL.

You can also use regular commands during this duel if you think they will help, though most of the time, they won't!
"Let's go!" shouts Marion.

She immediately slices her sword towards you and yells out "Zap!"

That zap from her sword is about to hit you! You better act fast.
action: Dodge
response: You leap aside with a swishing noise and let the shot go past you. Marion takes a couple of quick steps to her right, then holds her sword sideways in front of her to protect herself.
action: Zap
response: You point your wand at Marion and yell out "Zap!" - but Marion already has her weapon up to protect herself, so she blocks your shot easily with one swoosh of the sword.

"Zap!" she yells, and with a second swoosh, she sends another shot in your direction. You aren't ready at all, and the zap lands right on your tummy.

"Oof!" you say, holding your belly.

"I zapped you, I zapped you!" says Marion. "It's over, landlubber! I won!"

"Don't call me landlubber," you say.

Because of the deal you made with Marion before the duel, you've lost this game of tip. Plus you'll have to tell everyone that Marion beat you. How annoying!

 Please choose one of the following options:

1 Undo your last move so you can keep the bad thing from happening!
2 Restore a saved game
3 Start a brand new game
4 Quit playing for now
action: 1
response: [Your last move has been undone.]
You leap aside with a swishing noise and let the shot go past you. Marion takes a couple of quick steps to her right, then holds her sword sideways in front of her to protect herself.
action: Block
response: You wave your wand across yourself and Marion's zap bounces off it. "Peooo!" you say. "I blocked it."

"Curses!" says Marion, taking a couple of steps to her right. She stops suddenly and holds her sword sideways in front of herself for protection.
action: Zap
response: You point your wand at Marion and yell out "Zap!" - but Marion already has her weapon up to protect herself, so she blocks your shot easily with one swoosh of the sword.

"Zap!" she yells, and with a second swoosh, she sends another shot in your direction. You aren't ready at all, and the zap lands right on your tummy.

"Oof!" you say, holding your belly.

"I zapped you, I zapped you!" says Marion. "It's over, landlubber! I won!"

"Don't call me landlubber," you say.

Because of the deal you made with Marion before the duel, you've lost this game of tip. Plus you'll have to tell everyone that Marion beat you. How annoying!

 Please choose one of the following options:

1 Undo your last move so you can keep the bad thing from happening!
2 Restore a saved game
3 Start a brand new game
4 Quit playing for now
action: 1
response: [Your last move has been undone.]
You wave your wand across yourself and Marion's zap bounces off it. "Peooo!" you say. "I blocked it."

"Curses!" says Marion, taking a couple of steps to her right. She stops suddenly and holds her sword sideways in front of herself for protection.
action: Dodge
response: You jump to the side, even though there's no zap coming towards you at the moment. Marion lowers her sword and starts to run across the clearing.

Oops! Her hat fell off, but she's not going back for it.
action: Zap
response: You throw another shot at Marion as she runs across the grass - "Zap!"

Marion waves her sword over her shoulder and bounces your shot away. Now you can see where she's running to. There's a spot where the ground goes up a bit like a little hill, and Marion just jumped behind it. She pokes her head over the top of the hill and throws another shot at you, shouting "Zap!"
action: Block
response: You swish your wand across yourself and block Marion's zap with a "Peooo!"

Marion ducks back behind the hill so you can't see her. Waiting for her to appear again, you keep your wand pointed at the top of the hill&

There she is, she just put her head up!
action: Zap
response: "Zap!" you shout, throwing your zap straight at Marion's head. You got her!

"Ohhh!" Marion cries, jumping out from behind the hill and stomping around. Then you both laugh. Marion walks over to her hat, picks it up and puts it back on her head. She comes over to you.

"You won, so you can tip me now," she says, holding out her open hand.

"Tip," you say, clapping her hand lightly. Marion smiles.

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"Let's have another duel later," you say.

"Yeah!" says Marion.
action: You talk to Marion
response: "I'll be going on a pirate holiday now," says Marion.

"Oh, where are you going to?" you ask.

"No questions!" says Marion.

Marion waves and walks away to the south.
action: Look around
response: You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

You see the roundabout.
action: You look at the roundabout
response: The roundabout is red, and there are bars around the edge of it for holding onto.
action: You go south
response: What was that sound just then? There must be a bird close by.

West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze. It's a real life maze where all the walls are made out of hedges. You've been in there before and it can be lots of fun.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Marion is walking along here.

Ugh... A huge, scary black bird is sitting on the hedge beside the entrance to the maze. He has no white patches on him, so he's not a magpie. He must be a raven.

Marion walks south.
action: You look at raven
response: Could a bird be any scarier? You don't think so. This raven looks like he could pick you up and carry you away. He's sitting still at the moment, but you don't trust him, and you're afraid to go near him.
action: You talk to the raven
response: "Go away!" you say to the raven. "I don't like you." The raven's head turns a little bit, but he doesn't do anything else.
action: Zap raven
response: You point your wand at the raven and yell out "Zap!"

The raven doesn't even blink.
action: You talk to the raven
response: "Shoo!" you try, waving your arms. The raven still doesn't move. You start to get the feeling he likes being where he is.
action: Go west
response: You're too scared of that raven to walk past him into the maze. What if he pecked you on your head or something?

Hm... Being scared yourself makes you think that your friends were probably scared away by the raven as well. That might have stopped any of them from trying to hide in the maze. Maybe you should look for them elsewhere?
action: You throw the shoe at the raven
response: You smile at your silly idea. Though sometimes you do throw clothes at Demi at home.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: You go to the east
response: This is a really exciting place in the park. It's like a room on another planet where the walls are made out of jungle.

Paths lead north, south and west. To the east is a stone wall about as high as your chest, but on the other side it's a longer drop to the grass below.
action: You examine stone wall
response: You run your hands over the wall. It's all rough, bumpy and stoney on its side, but smooth and flat on the top. Down below the other side of the wall is a grassy area.
action: You look at the jungle
response: When you look at the jungle plants, you almost expect to see a lion or a tiger as well.
action: You search the jungle
response: You have a little poke around in the jungle plants. There's nobody there.
action: You go south
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

As you approach the treehouse, you easily spot Jack, dressed as Spiderman, creeping along behind a curtain of vines. "I see you, Jack!" you yell, making him jump.

Jack grins and sprints away to the west. Yikes, he is super fast!
action: You follow Jack
response: You head west after Jack.

The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.

Jack is marching up and down here.

Coming along the path towards you is a tall, pretty lady walking a little dog on a leash. You like dogs, though your family doesn't have any.

Jack runs to the east.
action: You follow Jack
response: You run east after Jack.

You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!

Jack runs off to the south.
action: You follow Jack
response: You skip south after Jack.

You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.
action: You tag jack
response: You swipe at Jack but he jumps out of your way easily.

"Nyah nyah!" he says, circling around you. You find yourself puffing and panting trying to get close to him. It's really frustrating.

"Fairies and girls are lame," he says. "You'll never tip me!"

How rude! You feel like throwing something at him to annoy him.

Jack runs off to the east.
action: You go east
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!
action: You examine Jack
response: Jack is wearing a red and blue costume with black spiderweb patterns on it. He has a funny face and can make you laugh just by wiggling it around sometimes. He can be a real showoff.
action: You throw the wand at Jack
response: Chuck your fairy wand? No, you'd hate it if it broke!
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a pink dress (being worn)
a pair of fairy wings (being worn)
a pair of red and white sneakers (being worn)
your fairy wand
action: You remove the dress
response: What a dumb idea!
action: You chase the jack west
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run west. You follow close behind him -

You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Jack skids to a halt.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.
action: You chase the jack west
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run west. You follow close behind him -

You're in a round, paved clearing surrounded by a tall hedge. It's a little cooler here for some reason. In the centre of the clearing is a giant stone koala.

Paths lead north and east.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack north
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run north. You follow close behind him -

The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.

Jack skids to a halt.

The lady is here with her dog.
action: You chase the jack north
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get him to run north, and you follow him.

You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Jack skids to a halt.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: You chase jack north
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run north. You follow close behind him -

You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

You see the roundabout.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack east
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get him to run east, and you follow him.

There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack east
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get him to run east, and you follow him.

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack south
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get him to run south, and you follow him.

This is a really exciting place in the park. It's like a room on another planet where the walls are made out of jungle.

Paths lead north, south and west. To the east is a stone wall about as high as your chest, but on the other side it's a longer drop to the grass below.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack east
response: You can't chase Jack that way because you can't even go that way! It looks like you can go north (to the giant garden bed), south (to below the treehouse) or west (to the hedge maze).
action: Go south
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.
action: You look at weeds
response: The weeds look like little green pieces of string that tie up everything they touch. One time you tied two pieces together and you got itchy hands.
action: You get the weeds
response: You don't need them. Plus they make you itch!
action: You examine the flowerbeds
response: There are lots of different kinds of flowers in the flowerbeds. They're so pretty. If you weren't playing tip, you might like to collect some.
action: Up
response: You're up in the wooden treehouse. Wow, what a great view! The house has no roof and its walls are red and blue. There's a steering wheel attached to the trunk of the tree. This all looks fun, but you need to get on with finding your friends. Maybe if you check out the view, you can spot some of them from up here.

A ladder leads down to the ground.
action: You examine the wheel
response: It's a lot like the one in the car.
action: Turn wheel
response: You spin the wheel all the way around. Vroom! You imagine you're driving a racing car.
action: You examine the view
response: From here you can see over all of the areas in the park that are north and east of the treehouse, but you can't see to the west or south.

*  To the north, in the place above the wall, you can see Jack.
*  Over to the east, near the puddle of mud, you see that big girl counting against her tree.
** Away to the north, you just saw something moving near the giant garden bed. You're not sure what it was, but it might have been a person.
action: Go downwards
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.
action: Go north
response: This is a really exciting place in the park. It's like a room on another planet where the walls are made out of jungle.

Paths lead north, south and west. To the east is a stone wall about as high as your chest, but on the other side it's a longer drop to the grass below.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!
action: You look behind the bed
response: You peek around the back of the giant garden bed and discover Vince hiding there, dressed as an army soldier in green. He's on his hands and knees and staying perfectly still. His bottom is poking in your direction, which is funny. He doesn't realise you can see him.
action: You examine vince
response: Vince is dressed as an army soldier. His uniform is all green and patchy. He's Chinese and he has black hair. One time at show and tell, he told a story about his parents coming to Australia from China when he was a baby.
action: Tag vince
response: You tap Vince on the back and say, "Tip!"

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

Vince crawls out from his hiding place and smiles. "Was it hard to find me?" he asks.

"I guess so," you say, "I had to go up in the treehouse to spot you."

"Good!" he says. "I'm practising to be a spy."
action: You go north
response: You can't go that way. It looks like you can go south (to the place above the wall), east (to the west side of the Moreton Bay Fig) or west (to the roundabout).
action: You go east
response: In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.
action: You go east
response: You head east, circling wide around the outside of the fig tree roots.

It is very dark here in the shade of the towering fig tree.

Paths lead around the tree to the west.
action: Go west
response: You head west, circling wide around the outside of the fig tree roots.

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.
action: Go west
response: There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.

Vince is here.

Vince sneaks away to the south.
action: Go south
response: This is a really exciting place in the park. It's like a room on another planet where the walls are made out of jungle.

Paths lead north, south and west. To the east is a stone wall about as high as your chest, but on the other side it's a longer drop to the grass below.

Vince is here.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!

Vince sneaks away to the south.
action: You go south
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

Vince is here.

Vince sneaks away to the south.
action: You go west
response: The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.

The lady is here with her dog.
action: You examine lady
response: The lady is tall and slim with red hair and very white skin. You wonder what it would be like to have red hair.
action: You talk to the lady
response: "Hi," you say to the lady, hoping to play with the dog.

"Oh, look at you!" says the lady. "What a wonderful costume. You look beautiful." You feel very pleased, but also shy. The little dog starts sniffing at your feet.

"This is Stevie," says the lady. "You can pat her if you want."
action: Pat stevie
response: "Is Stevie a boy's name?" you say, bending down to pat the dog.

"Some people think it is if they haven't heard it before," says the lady, "but actually it's short for Stephanie."

"Oh," you say. The dog is warm and fuzzy and friendly.

"Okay," says the lady, "Stevie and I are going to continue on our walk now."

"Bye Stevie," you say. You just decided that you and Demi have to get a dog! You'll talk to mum and dad about it.

The lady and Stevie walk away to the east.
action: Go south
response: You're in a round, paved clearing surrounded by a tall hedge. It's a little cooler here for some reason.

Paths lead north and east.

The huge stone koala stands before you.
action: You examine the koala
response: What a fatty! Mum and dad took you to see koalas at Taronga zoo one time, and they were cute, but they were mostly asleep... Hm, this koala is so big, someone could use it as a hiding place. Maybe you should look behind it?
action: You look behind the koala
response: You start to tiptoe around the statue...

Eek! Something black just zipped out of your sight!

You jump back into the open to find tall Pia right in front of you, dressed in her black cat costume. You both scream with excitement, but before you can grab her, she springs away to the east.
action: You go to the east
response: You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Pia is here. She keeps her eyes on you as you approach.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.

Pia bounds away all cat-like to the north.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

Pia is here, standing in the shade.
action: Count leaves
response: You don't need to do any counting at the moment. You have people to tip.
action: Chase pia west
response: You rush after Pia, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever she tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get her to run west, and you follow her.

The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia north
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run north. You follow close behind her -

You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Pia skids to a halt.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

You see the roundabout.
action: You go north
response: You can't go that way. It looks like you can go south (to the hedge maze) or east (to the giant garden bed).
action: You chase the jack south
response: You run towards Jack - luckily for you, he decides to run to the south, just like you wanted! You chase after him.

You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack south
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get him to run south, and you follow him.

You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Jack skids to a halt.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.
action: You chase jack east
response: You run towards Jack - luckily for you, he decides to run to the east, just like you wanted! You chase after him.

This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase the jack north
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run north. You follow close behind him -

You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Jack skids to a halt.

The big girl is here, leaning against a tree and counting aloud.

The big girl counts, "Ninety-four -"
action: You chase the jack north
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run north. You follow close behind him -

You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack south
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run south. You follow close behind him -

You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Jack skids to a halt.

The big girl is here, leaning on a tree and counting aloud.

"Ninety-six," says the big girl.
action: You chase Jack into the puddle
response: It's easy to run around the puddle of mud, but you don't think Jack would be silly enough to run right into it. Also, you're afraid you might fall in the puddle yourself.
action: You chase jack south
response: You have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run south. You follow close behind him -

This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: Go west
response: You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.
action: You get the leaves
response: (the bunch of leaves)
You collect a big bunch of the leaves from the ground. It takes both your hands to hold them. You realise you won't be able to tip anyone while you're carrying the leaves, but if you use them up and need more of them later, you know you'll be able to come back here to get some more.
action: You go east
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!
action: Go north
response: You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

The big girl is here, leaning against a tree and counting aloud.

The big girl says, "One hundred and one."
action: You put the leaves on the mud
response: (the bunch of leaves on the big puddle of mud)
action: You drop the leaves
response: (the bunch of leaves)
Okay. You drop the leaves and they gently blow away.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a bunch of leaves
a pink dress (being worn)
a pair of fairy wings (being worn)
a pair of red and white sneakers (being worn)
your fairy wand
action: Examine leaves
response: (the bunch of leaves)
The crinkly leaves are bunched up in your cupped hands.
action: You go south
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.

Jack is running around here on all fours. He's crazy!
action: You throw the leaves at Jack
response: (the bunch of leaves at Jack)
You wait for Jack to start showing off again just out of your reach, then suddenly chuck the whole pile of leaves in his face.

"BLUCH!... What?!" he shouts, falling on his backside in surprise. Sitting on the ground and covered in leaves, he starts to laugh, and to spit out bits of leaf.
action: Tip jack
response: Seizing your chance, you tap Jack's head and say, "Tip!"

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"I'll get you back later," Jack says. Both of you start laughing as he peels more leaves off himself.
action: Go south
response: You can't go that way. It looks like you can go north (to the place in the shade by the mud) or west (to the edge of the park).

Jack gets up, brushes himself off and goes west.
action: You go west
response: You're at the south edge of the park. It's super hot today and the sun is pouring down on the grass and the flowerbeds.

From here, paths lead north, east and west through the park, and to the south is the picnic area where mum and dad will set up lunch later.

You see some unhappy trees here.

Jack is here.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground.

Jack heads south.
action: You go west
response: You're in a round, paved clearing surrounded by a tall hedge. It's a little cooler here for some reason.

Paths lead north and east.

The huge stone koala stands before you.
action: You go north
response: The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.

The lady and Stevie arrive from the east.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Pia is here, standing in the shade.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: Chase pia north
response: You run towards Pia - luckily for you, she decides to run to the north, just like you wanted! You chase after her.

You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

You see the roundabout.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia east
response: You rush after Pia, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever she tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get her to run east, and you follow her.

There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia east
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run east. You follow close behind her -

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia south
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run south. You follow close behind her -

You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia south
response: You rush after Pia, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever she tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get her to run south, and you follow her.

You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Pia skids to a halt.

The big girl is here, leaning on a tree and counting aloud.

"One hundred and thirteen," says the big girl.
action: You look at Pia
response: Pia is dressed as a cat. All her clothes are black, she's wearing a black mask over her eyes and her curly red hair is held back by a cat-ears headband. She's the tallest girl in your class and sometimes gives you piggybacks. She is great at sports and running and jumping over things. She is very quiet, but also very kind.
action: You jump over the mud
response: The puddle is too big to jump across. If you fell in, it would be horrible.
action: Chase pia north
response: You run towards Pia - luckily for you, she decides to run to the north, just like you wanted! You chase after her.

You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia north
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run north. You follow close behind her -

In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: You go to the south
response: You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.
action: Go south
response: You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

The big girl is here, leaning on a tree and counting aloud.

"One hundred and seventeen," counts the big girl.
action: Go south
response: This corner of the park is called the "Tree Garden". Lots and lots of big trees have been planted in a neat line which winds around the edge of the lawn here. They look like furry people waiting in a queue. Someone has mown the grass and everything is really tidy.

One path winds north towards a shady area under lots of trees, and another one goes west.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a part of the park that gets less sun because the trees make a web of dark overhead.

Paths go north and south to less shady places.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

The big girl is here, leaning on a tree and counting aloud.

"One hundred and twenty-two," counts the big girl.
action: You go north
response: You're in a field which is cool and damp. To the west is a stone wall, at the top of which is a higher level of the park. It's too high to climb over, plus the wall is covered in sticky green stuff that has grown in the shade. Near the wall is a great big yellow rock, much bigger than yourself.

Pathways go north and south from here.
action: Go north
response: In this dusty corner of the park is the hugest of all the trees. Dad said it's called a Moreton Bay Fig. It has roots like crazy ropes and bark like an elephant's skin. You feel you could jump on your own head hundreds of times and still not reach the top of the tree.

You are on the west side of the tree and can go around to its east side. Paths also go south and west. A huge spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.

Pia is here, standing in the shade.
action: You throw the leaves at the web
response: (the bunch of leaves at the spiderweb)
If you threw your wand and it got stuck in the web, you would have to go near the web and the spider. Ugh! You're not going to risk doing that.
action: Chase pia east
response: You run at Pia and try to chase her east, but you can tell she doesn't want to go in that direction - probably because of all the big tree roots that are in the way.

There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: You talk to Pia
response: "Meow!" you say in a high voice.

Pia giggles.
action: You go south
response: You're in a tangly area in the park. There's lots of tall grass waving in the breeze like water, and there are weeds growing around the flowerbeds and dangling from trees. A metal ladder attached to one tree leads up into a treehouse.

Paths also go north, south and west from here.

The lady and Stevie arrive from the west.
action: Search leaves
response: (the bunch of leaves)
The leaves aren't piled high enough to hide anybody.
action: You go west
response: You're in a round, paved clearing surrounded by a tall hedge. It's a little cooler here for some reason.

Paths lead north and east.

The huge stone koala stands before you.
action: You examine koala
response: What a fatty! Mum and dad took you to see koalas at Taronga zoo one time, and they were cute, but they were mostly asleep.
action: You look at the hedge
response: The hedge is like a wall that is made out of plants instead of bricks. The tiny leaves and branches grow so close together that you can't see through them.
action: Search hedge
response: The hedges are like walls. Nobody could get inside them.
action: You climb the koala
response: The koala is too big and steep to climb.
action: Go north
response: The pathway becomes narrow here and splits in three directions. It makes you think of a triangle. The flowerbeds here are yellow and really pretty.

You can go north, south or east.
action: You examine the flowerbeds
response: You know daffodils are yellow, but these flowers aren't daffodils. You don't know what they are.
action: Go north
response: You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: Chase raven
response: You're too afraid of the raven to go near him.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

You see the roundabout.
action: Ride roundabout
response: Before you can get on the roundabout, you'll have to drop your leaves. Do you want to do this? (Y/N)
action: Y.
response: Okay. You drop the leaves and they gently blow away.

You get up on the roundabout.
action: Spin
response: (the roundabout)
You give the roundabout a big push to the left and set it spinning.

The roundabout is spinning quickly. Whee!
action: You jump
response: You jump off the moving roundabout.

The roundabout is spinning.
action: Go east
response: There's a giant garden bed here with all the prettiest flowers in the park. They're laid out in coloured stripes like in a rainbow.

Neat paths go south, east and west.

Pia is here, standing in the shade.
action: Chase pia west
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run west. You follow close behind her -

You're in a nice grassy clearing with paths leading out of it south and east.

Pia skids to a halt.

The roundabout comes to a halt.
action: You jump on roundabout
response: You jump up onto the roundabout.
action: You look at Pia
response: Pia is dressed as a cat. All her clothes are black, she's wearing a black mask over her eyes and her curly red hair is held back by a cat-ears headband.
action: Spin roundabout right
response: The roundabout is already spinning the other way. By pushing right, you slow it down.

The roundabout comes to a halt.
action: Chase pia south
response: You rush after Pia, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever she tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get her to run south, and you follow her.

You're in a nice big grassy area. West of here is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Pia skids to a halt.

The raven sits on a hedge here, watching you.
action: Chase pia east
response: You have to chase Pia in a few circles before you're able to get her to run east. You follow close behind her -

This is a really exciting place in the park. It's like a room on another planet where the walls are made out of jungle.

Paths lead north, south and west. To the east is a stone wall about as high as your chest, but on the other side it's a longer drop to the grass below.

Pia skids to a halt.

Wow, is Pia really gonna do what it looks like she's about to do? -

She takes three huge cat leaps towards the wall, then vaults over it and through the air!.. and disappears from sight.

She must have landed on the grass below the other side of the wall, but you didn't think you could jump that far without getting hurt. You feel nervous and excited, and wonder whether you could do the same trick? It looked so cool.
action: You jump over the wall
response: (the wall)
You have butterflies in your tummy at the idea of leaping. Are you sure you want to jump over the wall? (Y/N)
action: Y.
response: With a gasp, you gather your courage and run at the wall, throwing yourself over the top of it with your hands.

You're in the air, flying towards the grass!

OOF!... with an enormous thud, you crash into a green world. For a second it feels like you have no breath, but quickly you find that you are feeling fine and sitting on your bottom in the tall grass in the shade below the wall. You push your wings back into place (they must have worked) and climb to your feet.

That was awesome!

Someone even more surprised by your jump than you is Pia, who is struggling to her feet beside you. You caught up to her!
action: Tip pia
response: "Tip!" you shout as you touch Pia's arm.

"I didn't think you'd catch up to me after my jump," says Pia.

"I flew," you say.
action: 2
response: Your name is Demi Leitner, it's the January summer school holidays and today has been a great day.

You turned six this morning! And so did your twin sister, Harriet. As soon as you woke up, you ran to get mum and asked her to measure your height on the wall. You were very excited to find that you were taller again. When your friends started arriving for the birthday party, you put your witch's hat on to make yourself taller than all of them, even Pia.

One of the games you played at home this morning was pass the parcel, and you had a bit of an argument with Harriet over who was holding the parcel when the music stopped for the last time. You're certain it was you, and then dad said you could share it, but then you gave the parcel to Harriet anyway because you like to see her happy. You're better at most games than her, so sometimes you let her win.

You ate so many lollies this morning, you were starting to feel funny, but by the time everyone got to the park for lunch, you felt good again. And now it's time to play hide and seek tip. It's going to be great!

You agree to be in, and count with your eyes shut against a tree while your friends run off and hide in the park.

"... Forty-eight..." you shout at the top of your lungs.

"... Forty-nine..." you shout at the top of your lungs.

"... Fifty! Ready or not, the witch is coming for you!"

You really want to win this game. It's time to catch your friends.
The Edge of the Park
This is the south edge of the park. The sky is blue and bright today, and the air is warm. Pretty flowers shake in the breeze around the base of some super-tall trees. A few of the trees look unwell, and the curly leaves on the unwell ones are ready to fall off.

Paths lead north, east and west, and to the south is the picnic area.
action: You examine the trees
response: (the unwell trees)
You don't know what kind of trees these unwell-looking trees are, but they're not gum trees. Their dying leaves are all curly and crunchy, and will probably come down next time there's a strong wind.
action: Go east
response: You've come into the Tree Garden. It's super neat here. The big trees go around the edge of the lawn in perfect lines. There's a smell in the air like someone just mowed the lawn.

A path goes north into a mysterious-looking shaded area, and another goes back west to the edge of the park.
action: You listen
response: You listen carefully... you don't hear anything suspicious.
action: You examine the trees
response: There are tall trees and short trees, smooth trees and rough trees, pointy trees and curly trees. Some of them look interesting, while others... well, the others look boring. The trees come in four colours: black, brown, grey and green. A perfectly square wall of bushes grows between every pair of trees. It's like a hotel for trees, with each tree in its own room.

You try to find a place to stand where you can see behind all the trees at once, but it's impossible. Hmm... it looks like the only way to find out if any of your friends are hiding behind any of these trees will be to search each tree.
action: You go north
response: This is a shady and damp area in the park. Far overhead, the tree branches knot together like fingers, chopping up the sunlight. It feels a bit spooky.

You can leave this shady place by going north or south.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Leaning against a very tall gum tree with her face buried in her arms (because she is counting and not peeking) is a big girl wearing red overalls. She looks kind of tough.

The girl turns away from the tree suddenly and fixes her eye on you, her hands on her hips. She looks you up and down.

"I'm Rose, and I don't like witches sneaking up on me," she says. "You better not try anything smart with me. This is my park."

She keeps watching you suspiciously.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a witch's hat (being worn)
some black robes (being worn)
a pair of black slippers (being worn)
your witch's wand
action: You look at the wand
response: The wand looks like black wood (but is plastic, really) and the tip is a little more pointy than the handle.
action: Zap rose
response: You point your wand at Rose and yell out "Zap!"

"Don't you do that to me!" says Rose. "I already told you not to be smart."

You don't like this bossy boots. You have an idea.

"I could jinx you with my magic," you say. "Do you know what that means? You would have bad luck all week. Every time you try walking somewhere, you'll trip over. I mean it!"

You raise your wand towards Rose. She starts to look afraid. It's working!..

Suddenly she frowns. "Liar," she says, "You can't do that."

Rats!
action: Zap rose
response: You point your wand at Rose and yell out "Zap!"

"I told you to stop annoying me!" shouts Rose. "That's it!"

She rushes over to you and gives you a great big shove - right into the mud!
action: You go north
response: You're in a cool, shaded field. It's nice to be out of the heat for a moment. To the west is a high stone wall covered in slippery moss. Near the base of the wall is a huge yellow rock. It looks like a small mountain.

There is more shade to the south and another path goes north.
action: You examine the wall
response: It looks like the grey wall of a castle - if that castle was covered in moss. The wall is wide and very tall.
action: You examine yellow rock
response: The rock seems to be made out of hard sand. You've seen this kind of rock before at the beach. You like the feel of it. It's also large enough that someone could hide behind it.
action: You climb the wall
response: The wall's really high and the slippery moss on it would make it an impossible climb, even if your robes were easier to manage.
action: Go north
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west.

To the north is the pointy-roofed little building called the gazebo, but nobody is in there today because the way in is blocked by a big spider web. Sitting in the middle of the web is the orb weaver spider who made it. Wow, that web is amazing!

Standing in the shade of the tree is a brave knight... well, maybe not a brave one. It's Sam. His grey armour doesn't fit him too well, so he looks a bit funny.

"The witch is here!" you shout, pointing your wand at Sam.

Sam gives a little scream. Yes, he should be afraid of you!
action: Chase sam north
response: You can't chase anyone into the gazebo with that big spiderweb in the way.

--- WHOOSH!

A  strong gust of wind suddenly sweeps across the park. Your hat tries to jump off your head. You grab on to the brim with one hand and wave your wand to cast a spell with the other.

"Wind, stop! I order you!" you yell. The crazy wind keeps blowing.

"You're not listening!" you shout, as loose leaves from the trees go shooting away.

Then, as quickly as it began, the wind drops away. "That's better," you say.
action: Chase sam east
response: You run towards Sam and he flees east, jumping and scrambling over the huge roots of the tree.

You move to follow Sam but find that in your witch's robes, it's too hard to either climb or jump over the big roots. Giving up on this idea, you run away from the tree until you are beyond the reach of the roots, then circle around to its other side. Unfortunately, this is a much slower way of getting around the tree than Sam's way.

Very little sunlight reaches this side of the tree. Amongst its giant, twisting roots, you feel like you're in a world of stone.

The only way to go from here is west, to the other side of the tree.

Sam the knight is here. He looks tense, and ready to run away from you.
action: Zap sam
response: You point your wand at Sam and yell out "Zap!"

"My armour protects me from your spells," Sam says proudly.
action: Go west
response: You head west, slowly circling around the outside of the fig tree roots.

You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west. The big spiderweb blocks the entrance to the gazebo to the north.
action: You get the spider
response: You don't want to carry the spider around with you while you're playing. Maybe you could just move it?
action: You move spider
response: Using your wand, you carefully cut through the threads holding the spiderweb in place on one side. The web falls sideways and the spider runs along one of the remaining threads and disappears under the roof of the gazebo. You scrape away what's left of the web on the grass.

"Sorry Mister Spider," you say, "but you were in my way today."

Now you can go into the gazebo to the north.
action: Go north
response: You are in the gazebo, a building like a small tower with a white fence instead of a balcony around the outside of it. If you painted the fence black, it would be a very good place for a witch to live.

There is only one way out of the gazebo, and that is through a gap in the fence to the south.

There is a picnic table here.
action: You examine table
response: The table is a bit dirty. It sits over on one side of the gazebo. It's not big enough for anyone to hide under or behind.
action: You go south
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.
action: You go to the east
response: You head east, slowly circling around the outside of the fig tree roots.

Very little sunlight reaches this side of the tree. Amongst its giant, twisting roots, you feel like you're in a world of stone.

The only way to go from here is west, to the other side of the tree.

Sam the knight is here. He looks tense, and ready to run away from you.
action: Chase sam west
response: You charge at Sam again, and again he escapes you by starting to leap and climb over the fig tree roots. He's heading west around the fig tree.

Knowing you can't get over the big tree roots in your robe, you run away from the tree until you are clear of the roots, then circle around to the tree's other side. It takes awhile.

You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Sam the knight is here. He looks tense, and ready to run away from you.
action: Chase sam north
response: You race at Sam as fast as you can. When he tries to escape around the fig tree, you jump in front of him with your arms spread out. Then... yes! He decides to go north into the gazebo! You rush after him -

You are in the gazebo, a building like a small tower with a white fence instead of a balcony around the outside of it.

There is only one way out of the gazebo, and that is through a gap in the fence to the south.

Sam skids to a halt.

There is a picnic table here.

You see Sam looking around for an escape route, but there isn't one - you're standing between him and the only way out of the gazebo. You've got him trapped!

"Help!" he screams, "The witch is coming to get me!"
action: Tip sam
response: Sam wiggles from side to side, but there's no way for him to avoid you here. You grab his shoulder and say, "Tip!"

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"Ohhhhhh," Sam groans.
action: Go south
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Sam arrives from the north.
action: You go west
response: You're beside a giant garden bed. The flowers have been planted to create a rainbow pattern, and it's beautiful.

Paths goes south, east and west.
action: You look at the flowers
response: (the flowers)
In the garden bed rainbow, first come the red flowers, then the orange flowers, the yellow flowers, the green flowers, the blue flowers, and finally the purple flowers. The garden bed rises quite high from the ground, which makes you think someone could be hiding behind it.
action: You look behind the bed
response: You lean down and poke your head around the back of the garden bed. You can see a black shape there. What is that?

Suddenly the shape comes to life and flies out into the open, giving you a big fright. "AAAH!" you shriek.

Now you can see that the shape is Pia, who's dressed as a black cat. She springs away to the east on her long legs.
action: You go east
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Pia is here. She keeps her eyes on you as you approach.

Pia suddenly springs away all cat-like to the west.
action: You go west
response: You're beside a giant garden bed. The flowers have been planted to create a rainbow pattern, and it's beautiful.

Paths goes south, east and west.

Pia is here. Her cat-eyes follow your movements.
action: Zap pia
response: You point your wand at Pia and yell out "Zap!"

Pia springs out of the way of your magic. You snap your fingers. She's too fast.
action: Chase pia east
response: You rush after Pia, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever she tries to get around you. By doing this a few times, you manage to get her to run east, and you follow her.

You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Pia skids to a halt.
action: Chase pia north
response: Pia sees the path you've cleared to the gazebo and jumps inside. You follow behind her -

You are in the gazebo, a building like a small tower with a white fence instead of a balcony around the outside of it.

There is only one way out of the gazebo, and that is through a gap in the fence to the south.

Pia skids to a halt.

There is a picnic table here.

Pia's eyes dart around the gazebo. Her lips make an "O", like she's having a thinkies. You can tell she knows you've cornered her.
action: Tip pia
response: As you move towards Pia she takes a fast step in one direction, causing you to wobble, then quickly tries to step around you in the other direction. She is so tricky that her escape plan almost works, but there isn't enough room in the gazebo for her to get past you, and she ends up crashing right into your arms.

"Tip!" you say, and you both laugh.
action: Go south
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Pia arrives from the north.
action: Go west
response: You're in a big grassy clearing at the northwest corner of the park.

A path leads south towards the hedge maze, and another one goes east towards a colourful garden bed.

You have found Marion, who's dressed as a pirate. She's standing beside the roundabout, looking very proud of herself with one hand on her waist, the other holding her sword. When she sees you coming, she pushes her pirate hat firmly onto her head and raises her sword towards you.

"Ahoy!" she cries. "Ye be on my ship, landlubber!"

"I'm no landlubber," you tell her. "You shall call me Witch Demi." You stand up to look as tall and scary as you can.

Marion leans on her sword and looks you up and down. She seems to decide you are tough enough. "All right Witch Demi," she says, "I'm Red Marion, and I challenge you to a duel."

A duel! You know all about those from Harry Potter.

"I'll duel you," you say, "and when I win, I'm gonna tip you."

"And if I win," says Marion, "you have to give up tipping people and tell everyone I won this game."

What a cheeky pirate... but you're not worried, because you're totally going to win.

"Okay Red Marion," you say. "You made a big mistake deciding to mess with me." You lift up your wand and hold it tightly. "I'm gonna zap you."

"Uh uh," she says. "I'm gonna zap you."

"Let's duel!" you say.
action: Y.
response: [Author's Note: In the duel, you should use these special commands: ]

ZAP - Type this to try to zap Marion with your wand. If you hit her, you win!
DODGE - Type this to try to run or jump out of the way of one of Marion's attacks.
BLOCK - Type this to try to block one of Marion's attacks with your wand.

If you want to let Marion make the next move, you can try to WAIT.

If you want to see these special commands again, type SPECIAL.

You can also use regular commands during this duel if you think they will help - and they might!
"Go!" shouts Marion. She dances a little to one side, then sprints across the grass in the other direction. It looks like she's headed for the roundabout.
action: Zap marion
response: "Expelliamus!" you say, throwing a zap at Marion. Marion jumps in the air and does a little dance to twist out of the way. Wow!

"Missed me," she shouts. "No funny magic words," she yells over her shoulder. "You have to say 'zap' or it doesn't count."

"Okay," you shout back.

Marion just made it to the far side of the roundabout. There, she kneels down so that the bars of the roundabout are giving her some cover. She grabs onto them with one hand, then leans out around the side of the roundabout to throw a shot at you with her sword - "Zap!"
action: Block
response: "Peoo!" you say, swiping Marion's shot aside with your wand. Carefully but confidently, you begin to move towards the roundabout yourself. Marion pokes her head out from behind the bars to check what you're up to.
action: Spin roundabout
response: You're too far away from the roundabout to spin it.
action: Zap marion
response: "Zap!" you yell, throwing another shot at Marion with a big snap of your wand. Marion ducks back behind the roundabout bars to get out of the way.

Now's your chance. You run forward as quickly as you can to close the distance between yourself and the roundabout.

You made it! Now that you're right beside the roundabout, Marion isn't hidden from you any more. She's still kneeling down and hanging off the bar on the opposite side of the roundabout with one hand, and she looks surprised to see you're so close. "Zap!" she yells, chucking another shot at you over the roundabout, though she didn't aim very well.
action: Dodge
response: You step out of the way of Marion's zap - Oops, you bumped the roundabout! Marion shoots at you again immediately while you're confused - "Zap!"

Rats, she got you!

"Ha!" says Marion. "Nobody can defeat Red Marion in a duel! You lose, Witch Demi."

Uh oh. You told Marion she would be the winner of this game of tip if she beat you in the duel, and that's just what she's done...

 Please choose one of the following options:

1 Undo your last move so you can keep the bad thing from happening!
2 Restore a saved game
3 Start a brand new game
4 Quit playing for now
action: 1
response: [Your last move has been undone.]
"Zap!" you yell, throwing another shot at Marion with a big snap of your wand. Marion ducks back behind the roundabout bars to get out of the way.

Now's your chance. You run forward as quickly as you can to close the distance between yourself and the roundabout.

You made it! Now that you're right beside the roundabout, Marion isn't hidden from you any more. She's still kneeling down and hanging off the bar on the opposite side of the roundabout with one hand, and she looks surprised to see you're so close. "Zap!" she yells, chucking another shot at you over the roundabout, though she didn't aim very well.
action: Block
response: You swat Marion's zap away with your wand. Oops, you bumped the roundabout! Marion shoots at you again immediately while you're confused - "Zap!"

Rats, she got you!

"Ha!" says Marion. "Nobody can defeat Red Marion in a duel! You lose, Witch Demi."

Uh oh. You told Marion she would be the winner of this game of tip if she beat you in the duel, and that's just what she's done...

 Please choose one of the following options:

1 Undo your last move so you can keep the bad thing from happening!
2 Restore a saved game
3 Start a brand new game
4 Quit playing for now
action: You turn roundabout
response: You give the roundabout a quick push.

"Ahh!" cries Marion, losing her grip on the roundabout bar and falling backward onto the grass. This is your big chance!

The roundabout is spinning quickly.
action: Zap marion
response: "Zap!" you shout, pointing your wand straight at Marion's vest.

"Argh!" she cries, "ya got me!" Then she rolls around on the ground making loud dying noises.

You help Marion onto her feet, pat her on the back and say, "Tip".

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"Good work, Witch Demi," says Marion, shaking your hand. "You're no landlubber after all." She gives you a salute with her sword.

"Thanks," you say, taking a little bow.

The roundabout is spinning.
action: You go south
response: You hear a bird cry out as you enter this big, open grassy area. To the west is the entrance to the hedge maze. It's a great place to hide, so you're sure that at least one of your friends will be in there. You will have to explore the maze to find out if you're right.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Sitting on the hedge beside the entrance to the maze is a big black bird, a raven. He must have called out when he saw you coming.

"Yes, here I am," you say. You feel sure this bird would be the kind to help a witch like yourself.

Marion arrives from the north.
action: You go to the west
response: You have entered the hedge maze. Tall green walls of square hedge bend around each other, forming tricky patterns. It's spooky and mysterious, even on a sunny day. But it's exciting, too.

There are yellow arrows painted on the ground wherever you walk here. If you ever get lost, you can follow the arrows to the exit.

[Author's Note: You won't need to make a map of the maze - In fact, it cannot be mapped! Just pay attention to what your ears and eyes tell you. ]

[Author's Note: Also, compass directions don't work in here. Use LEFT and RIGHT instead. You can type EXIT to leave the maze at any time. ]

Now, how would you like to control your movements while in the maze? Please choose one of the following setups by pressing 1 or 2:

1 - Type LEFT to go left, RIGHT to go right and L to look.
2 - Type L to go left, R to go right and LOOK to look.
action: 2
response: <<  You chose set up number 2. Remember that typing L will be short for GO LEFT, not "look". Type the whole word LOOK if you want to see your location description again while in the maze.

You can check or change the controls later by typing CONTROLS. >>
action: You look
response: You stand in a narrow passage made by two hedges. It's dark and scary here. At the end of the passage you can turn left or right.

You just heard someone giggling! It sounded like it came from the right.
action: R.
response: You go right and run around more twisting hedges...

The hedges are quite close together here. It's almost like having a grass roof over your head. The end of the path splits so that you can turn either left or right.

It's quiet here. Maybe if you just listen, you'll hear that person sneaking around?
action: You listen
response: There! You heard someone giggling. It came from the left.
action: You look around
response: You turn left and run around more twisting hedges...

This part of the maze is up on a little slope. It's still not high enough for you to be able to see over the hedges, though. Paths go left and right.

What was that? You heard someone giggle nearby. It sounded like it came from the left.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: You turn left and run further into the maze...

You have run into a grassy clearing in the maze. It is quite sunny here. There are two new openings leading back into the maze, one to your left and one to your right.

There's a pink, parrotty bird with a white crest on its head sitting on the hedge here. You recognise it as a galah. The galah made a lot of noise as you approached, but at the same time, you heard someone giggling nearby in the maze. Did that giggle come from the left or the right? You're not sure.
action: You examine the bird
response: The galah has white, pink and grey feathers. Its colours make it really stand out here in the maze. You learned at school that Aborigines gave the bird its name.
action: You listen
response: You haven't heard any new sounds yet. You might need to be patient and keep listening.
action: You listen
response: You wait a little longer and listen carefully, but don't hear anything new. You'll have to make a decision about which way to go.
action: You examine the hedge
response: Looking at the hedges makes you wonder how they work. If you could grow a wall out of the ground using only plants, that would be a hedge. But how would it get to be so square? You will have to think about that later.
action: You listen
response: You wait a little longer and listen carefully, but don't hear anything new. Maybe the person heard you? You'll just have to pick a direction to go in.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: You go left and hurry around more twisting hedges...

You turn a corner and almost walk into a big stone pole. Hedge-lined paths go left and right away from here

The raven just landed on a hedge here and cried out. At the same time, you heard someone giggling nearby in the maze. But did that giggle come from the left or the right?
action: You examine the raven
response: He's a good-looking bird, dark and shiny like the night.
action: You look at the pole
response: The pole is twice as wide and twice as tall as you are. You're sure there is a special name for one of these things, but you forget what it is right now.
action: You listen
response: Nothing yet.
action: You listen
response: You wait a little longer and listen carefully, but don't hear anything new. You'll have to make a decision about which way to go.
action: Left
response: You go left and run around more twisting hedges...

The hedges are very tall and neat here, and form the shape of a big letter T. You can turn left or right.

There was the giggling again. It definitely came from the left.
action: Left
response: You turn left and hurry around more twisting hedges...

A few of the hedges here are shaped like beachballs. How funny! You can go between the hedges on your left or the ones on your right.

The galah is here, and it called out at the same time you heard someone giggling nearby. But did that giggle come from the left or the right?
action: You listen to the galah
response: [Author's Note: To listen carefully, all you have to type is LISTEN. ]

You wait a little while and listen carefully, but don't hear anything new. Maybe the person heard you? You'll just have to pick a direction to go in.
action: Right
response: You go right and hurry further into the maze...

You start to wonder if you're catching up with that giggling person or falling behind them. But then you remember that you are a clever and powerful witch. You feel confident about continuing the search. And if you do feel tired and would rather come back here later, you could always exit the maze and search for friends elsewhere for now.

This is a shady spot in the hedge maze with a green seat which people can sit on. You can continue through the maze by turning left or right.

It's quiet here.
action: You listen
response: Nothing yet.
action: Left
response: You turn left and hurry further into the maze...

The maze becomes curvy here. Ahead of you, it splits like a fork. One path curves away to the left. Another curves away to the right.

There was the giggling again. It definitely came from the left.
action: Left
response: You go left and run further into the maze...

There is a grate in the ground here. It's dark underneath and you can hear water running. Ahead of you, you can turn the corner left or right.

The galah is here, and it called out at the same time you heard someone giggling nearby. But did that giggle come from the left or the right?
action: Whistle
response: This is a bit embarrassing, but you can't whistle. Harriet can do it, and you keep trying to do it, and mum says one day you'll be able to do it, but you haven't been able to do it yet.
action: Zap galah
response: The galah can be a bit noisy, but you don't want to zap any birds. You have a feeling they're mostly on your side.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a witch's hat (being worn)
some black robes (being worn)
a pair of black slippers (being worn)
your witch's wand
action: You look at the slippers
response: The slippers fit you well and are comfy.
action: You look at the hat
response: It's tall, pointy and black.
action: You hide
response: Imagine if the person doing the seeking in a game of hide and seek went and hid themselves. The game could go on forever! It's funny to think about, but it's not something you want to try today.
action: You look
response: There is a grate in the ground here. It's dark underneath and you can hear water running. Ahead of you, you can turn the corner left or right.

The galah sits on a hedge here.
action: Left
response: You go left and run further into the maze...

You're in a clearing with some smaller hedges which only come up to your waist, but the area is still surrounded by taller hedges. You will have to decide whether to go out the left side of the clearing or the right side.

The galah suddenly walks around the corner. It squawks as it hops up onto the hedge.
action: You examine the galah
response: The galah has white, pink and grey feathers. Its colours make it really stand out here in the maze. You learned at school that Aborigines gave the bird its name.
action: You listen
response: You wait a little while and listen carefully, but don't hear anything new. Maybe the person heard you? You'll just have to pick a direction to go in.
action: Zap hedge
response: You point your wand at the hedge and yell out "Zap!"

Nothing happens.
action: Right
response: You go right and hurry around more twisting hedges...

You have found a grass field in the maze. There's lots of space here to run around in. Across the field, two paths lead back into the maze. One goes left, the other right.

You've found Ayla! She's here in her princess costume. She must have been running away from you while you were following her around the maze, but it looks like she's not going to run away now.

Ayla smiles and says, "Here I am."
action: Tip ayla
response: "Tip," you say, tapping Ayla on the arm.

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

"I had to find you without using my magic," you say.

"I was going to keep hiding from you," says Ayla, "but it's shady in here and I want to go back in the sun. Let's get out of the maze."

"Good idea," you say.
action: Go outside
response: You and Ayla start to run through the maze, following the yellow arrows on the ground, and soon you are outside in the sun again.

You're in a big, open grassy area. To the west is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

[Author's Note: Now that you're out of the maze, typing L is short for LOOK again. ]

Ayla stretches her arms and smiles at the sunshine. Then she turns to you and says, "Hey Demi, can I stay with you and help you look for the others?"

Hm. Secretly you'd hoped you could have a cat for a partner, because teaming up with a princess doesn't seem as witchy...

Do you want Ayla to come with you? (Y/N)
action: Y.
response: "Sure," you say. "Let's be a team."

"Yeah!" says Ayla. "Let's go."
> out - [Your previous command]

You're already outside.
action: You look
response: You're in a big, open grassy area. To the west is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Ayla is here.
action: You examine Ayla
response: Ayla is small, but she has a huge smile and always looks happier than everyone else. Maybe that's why she can't help giggling so much. She has dark hair like you, except hers only goes to her shoulders, and she has a little fringe and plaits. Today she's a princess wearing a pink and white dress, and with a gold crown on her head.
action: You go south
response: Three paths meet here to form a triangle. Pretty yellow flowers have been planted beside the pathways.

You can leave the triangle by going north, south or east.

Ayla is here.
action: Go south
response: This corner of the park is shaped like a circle, and has a hedge around it. In the centre of the clearing is a huge stone koala. The ground isn't covered in grass, but with honey-coloured stones. You like it here.

You can leave the circle by going north or east.

Ayla is here.

There's a little white and orange dog running around here. It looks happy, but where is the dog's owner?

Ayla gasps and says, "Oh, look at this cute doggy." She kneels down and rubs the dog's head and chin while the dog jumps around her. "You're the cutest, aren't you?" she says to the dog. "Yes, yes, yes!"

The little dog runs around her in a circle, then shoots off to the north.

"Demi, let's follow the doggy," says Ayla, tugging at your sleeve. "Come on."
action: Go north
response: Three paths meet here to form a triangle. Pretty yellow flowers have been planted beside the pathways.

You can leave the triangle by going north, south or east.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is here, wagging its tail. It looks like it's been waiting for you.

"Doggy wants to play," says Ayla. "See?" She points at the little dog, who is looking back at the pair of you and dancing up and down. "My mum says if you don't walk dogs and play with them, they go crazy. This doggy wants to play, so we have to play."

"But I want to look for people now!" you say.

"We have to play with the dog," Ayla says firmly.

The little dog runs back and forth a couple of times, then scoots away to the north.
action: You go to the north
response: You're in a big, open grassy area. To the west is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is here, crouching down in the grass and watching you. The dog's tail is spinning like the top of a helicopter.

Ayla says, "It's time to play with the doggy."
action: You play with the doggy
response: You run towards the little dog and it springs up to play with you. Ayla laughs and joins in. The dog chases Ayla in a loop then zips away to the east.
action: Go east
response: This is a wild place in the park. The plants are growing crazily, making you feel like you're in a forest or jungle.

You can see paths leading to the north, south and west. To the east you see a stone wall which comes up to your chest. Over the wall, it's a long way down to the grass.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is here, crouching down in the grass and watching you. The dog's tail is spinning like the top of a helicopter.

The little dog barks at you, wags its tail, then charges north.
action: Go north
response: You're beside a giant garden bed. The flowers have been planted to create a rainbow pattern, and it's beautiful.

Paths goes south, east and west.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is rolling in the grass here, ready to play.

Ayla smiles at the little dog.
action: You play with the dog
response: You and Ayla run in a circle around the little dog, which makes it very confused. As you both start to laugh, the dog zips to the east.
action: Go east
response: You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is bouncing back and forth here. It still wants to play.

The little dog wags its tail at you (it reminds you of a flag) then charges to the south.
action: You go south
response: You're in a cool, shaded field. It's nice to be out of the heat for a moment. To the west is a high stone wall covered in slippery moss. Near the base of the wall is a huge yellow rock. It looks like a small mountain.

There is more shade to the south and another path goes north.

Ayla is here.

The little dog is here, sniffing at the big rock.
action: You look behind the big rock
response: You peek around the side of the rock and see something green sticking out from around the corner. You quietly move around a little further and realise that you've found Vince, who's dressed all in green as an army soldier. He doesn't realise you've spotted him.
action: Tip vince
response: You clap Vince on the back and say, "Tip!" - which gives him quite a shock.

[Author's Note: YOU JUST SCORED A POINT! ]

He comes out from behind the yellow rock with a big grin on his face. The little dog walks over to him and starts sniffing and pawing at his legs. Ayla giggles.

"What's this dog doing here?" asks Vince.

"Doggy helped us find you," says Ayla.

Vince gives the dog an annoyed look. Then he smiles again. "I'm practising to be a spy, and I'm pretty good. I was sneaking from one hiding place to another while you were looking for me. You girls wouldn't have found me without this dog."

"Yes we would," says Ayla. "We were going to look here anyway, weren't we, Demi?"

"Yeah," you say.

Vince looks suspicious.
> tip vince - [Your previous command]

You already tipped him.

"I have spy work to do back at the picnic table," says Vince, standing up very straight and looking serious. "Excuse me." Then he walks away to the south.
action: Go west
response: You can't go that way. It looks like you can go north (to the west side of the Moreton Bay Fig) or south (to the place in the shade by the mud).
action: You go to the south
response: This is a shady and damp area in the park. Far overhead, the tree branches knot together like fingers, chopping up the sunlight. It feels a bit spooky.

You can leave this shady place by going north or south.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Ayla is here.

Vince is here.

Rose is here, watching your every move.

Vince sneaks away to the south.
action: You go to the west
response: You can't go that way. It looks like you can go north (to below the wall) or south (to the tree garden).
action: You go south
response: You've come into the Tree Garden. It's super neat here. The big trees go around the edge of the lawn in perfect lines. There's a smell in the air like someone just mowed the lawn.

A path goes north into a mysterious-looking shaded area, and another goes back west to the edge of the park.

Ayla is here.

Vince is here.

Vince sneaks away to the west.
action: You go west
response: This is the south edge of the park. The sky is blue and bright today, and the air is warm.

Paths lead north, east and west, and to the south is the picnic area.

You see some unwell trees here.

Ayla is here.

Vince is here.

Hundreds of leaves are scattered all over the ground. They must have fallen when that big wind blew.

Vince sneaks away to the south.
action: Go west
response: This corner of the park is shaped like a circle, and has a hedge around it. The ground isn't covered in grass, but with honey-coloured stones. You like it here.

You can leave the circle by going north or east.

The huge stone koala stands before you.

Ayla is here.
action: Go north
response: Three paths meet here to form a triangle. Pretty yellow flowers have been planted beside the pathways.

You can leave the triangle by going north, south or east.

Ayla is here.
action: Go east
response: This is one place in the park where they haven't mown the grass. It's like a green ocean which comes up to your waist! It's fun. There are also weeds creeping around and hanging from the trees over some flowerbeds. In the branches of one tree is a wooden treehouse, and there's a metal ladder you can climb up to reach it.

Paths leave this area to the north, south and west.

Ayla is here.

Jack suddenly pops out from behind the treehouse tree in his red and blue Spiderman costume.

Seeing you, Jack dances on the spot for a moment before sprinting off to the north.
action: You go to the north
response: This is a wild place in the park. The plants are growing crazily, making you feel like you're in a forest or jungle.

You can see paths leading to the north, south and west. To the east you see a stone wall which comes up to your chest. Over the wall, it's a long way down to the grass.

Ayla is here.

Jack is scampering around here on all fours like a spider - if spiders had four legs, but you know they have eight.

Jack runs off to the west.
action: Go west
response: You're in a big, open grassy area. To the west is the entrance to the hedge maze.

Paths also lead north, south and east from here.

Ayla is here.

Jack is here, pretending to tip-toe around you.
action: You chase the jack north
response: You run towards Jack - luckily for you, he decides to run to the north, just like you wanted! You chase after him.

You're in a big grassy clearing at the northwest corner of the park.

A path leads south towards the hedge maze, and another one goes east towards a colourful garden bed.

You see the roundabout.

Ayla comes running along behind you.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack east
response: You and Ayla have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run east. You follow close behind him -

You're beside a giant garden bed. The flowers have been planted to create a rainbow pattern, and it's beautiful.

Paths goes south, east and west.

Ayla comes running along behind you.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack east
response: You run towards Jack - luckily for you, he decides to run to the east, just like you wanted! You chase after him.

You stand before the biggest tree in the park, the Moreton Bay Fig. It seems to come from a world of giants. Close to the trunk, the roots alone are often taller than you are! They coil around each other like giant stone snakes. The tree blocks out the sky, and the top is so far away you can't see it.

This is the west side of the tree. You can make your way east around to the other side. There are also paths to the south and west, and you can enter the gazebo to the north.

Ayla arrives.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack south
response: You and Ayla have to chase Jack in a few circles before you're able to get him to run south. You follow close behind him -

You're in a cool, shaded field. It's nice to be out of the heat for a moment. To the west is a high stone wall covered in slippery moss. Near the base of the wall is a huge yellow rock. It looks like a small mountain.

There is more shade to the south and another path goes north.

Ayla comes running along behind you.

Jack skids to a halt.
action: You chase jack south
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. With Ayla's help, you manage to get him to run south, and you follow him.

This is a shady and damp area in the park. Far overhead, the tree branches knot together like fingers, chopping up the sunlight. It feels a bit spooky.

You can leave this shady place by going north or south.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Ayla comes running along behind you.

Jack skids to a halt.

"Watch yourself," says Rose.

Rose turns back to the tree to continue her counting.

Jack sticks his tongue out at Rose while she can't see. Ayla giggles.

Jack runs to the north.
action: Wait
response: You wait a moment, taking the opportunity to make sure your hat is secure on your head.

Rose counts, "Ninety-eight..."
action: You wait a while
response: You pause for a moment's thought.

Rose says, "Ninety-nine..."
action: You wait for a while
response: You wait a moment, taking the opportunity to make sure your hat is secure on your head.

Rose says, "One hundred!"
action: You wait a while
response: You have a little wait.

Rose suddenly stops counting and spins around to keep her eye on you.
action: Wait
response: You pause for a moment's thought. Rose is still watching you closely.
action: You go south
response: You've come into the Tree Garden. It's super neat here. The big trees go around the edge of the lawn in perfect lines. There's a smell in the air like someone just mowed the lawn.

A path goes north into a mysterious-looking shaded area, and another goes back west to the edge of the park.

Ayla is here.
action: Go north
response: You're in a cool, shaded field. It's nice to be out of the heat for a moment. To the west is a high stone wall covered in slippery moss. Near the base of the wall is a huge yellow rock. It looks like a small mountain.

There is more shade to the south and another path goes north.

Ayla is here.

Jack is here, watching to see what your next move might be.
action: You chase jack south
response: You rush after Jack, jumping back and spreading your arms whenever he tries to get around you. With Ayla's help, you manage to get him to run south, and you follow him.

This is a shady and damp area in the park. Far overhead, the tree branches knot together like fingers, chopping up the sunlight. It feels a bit spooky.

You can leave this shady place by going north or south.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Ayla comes running along behind you.

Jack skids to a halt.

Rose is here, watching you like a hawk.
action: You examine the mud
response: It looks like a small swamp. There's a nice mushy part at the edge where you could scoop some of it up.
action: You get the mud
response: You kneel by the mud and start to scoop up a little mud pie.

Rose sees what you're doing and shouts, "Oh no you don't!"

She rushes over to you and gives you a great big shove - face first right into the mud!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" you scream...

You're drenched in mud! You can't believe it!

Your attacker has already run away...

 Please choose one of the following options:

1 Undo your last move so you can keep the bad thing from happening!
2 Restore a saved game
3 Start a brand new game
4 Quit playing for now
action: You wait for a while
response: You rest for a moment.

Rose turns back to the tree to continue her counting.

Jack makes a crazy face at Rose while she can't see. Ayla giggles.

Jack runs to the north.
action: You get the mud
response: You manage to scoop up a squishy mud pie with your non-wand hand.

Rose says, "One hundred and two..."
action: You throw the mud at Rose
response: (the mud pie at Rose)
Rose sure is a grouch, but... you're not sure you could throw a mud pie at a stranger.
action: You go north
response: You're in a cool, shaded field. It's nice to be out of the heat for a moment. To the west is a high stone wall covered in slippery moss. Near the base of the wall is a huge yellow rock. It looks like a small mountain.

There is more shade to the south and another path goes north.

Ayla is here.

Jack is here, pretending to tip-toe around you.

Jack sprints away to the south.
action: Go south
response: This is a shady and damp area in the park. Far overhead, the tree branches knot together like fingers, chopping up the sunlight. It feels a bit spooky.

You can leave this shady place by going north or south.

There's a big puddle of mud here.

Ayla is here.

Jack is here, watching to see what your next move might be.

Rose is here, leaning on a tree and counting aloud.

Rose says, "One hundred and four."
action: You throw the mud at Jack
response: (the mud pie at Jack)
When Jack gets close again, you chuck your mud pie right at his chest... SPLAT!

"Arrgh!" Jack cries. He looks totally shocked and stands there, holding his arms up and checking out his muddy self. Ayla puts her hands over her mouth. Then Jack starts to laugh.

Rose counts, "One hundred and five -"
action: Tip jack
response: Seizing your chance, you poke Jack in the shoulder and say, "Tip!"

You've won! You, Ayla and Jack hurry back to the picnic area where your sister and the rest of your friends are waiting for you. Everyone congratulates you. Then Jack says, very loudly, "I'm starving," and mum and dad bring out the party lunch.

As soon as Ayla sees the fairy bread, she says "Yum," and runs over to stand next to it. Harriet runs over to be beside her.

While you're all eating, Marion suggests that anyone wearing a hat should swap their hat with someone else. You put on Sam's helmet and give him your witch's hat. He looks very silly, and Harriet laughs at how you look now. Marion puts on Ayla's little gold crown, and Ayla's head disappears beneath Marion's giant pirate hat, which makes everybody laugh.

You don't like being without your hat for too long, though, so you take it back off Sam pretty quickly. You feel good when you put it back on.

Whoops, you just remembered the lost dog! As you're about to tell mum and dad all about it, a lady comes into the picnic area from the park. She is holding a leash, and on the end of that leash is the little dog, who looks happy. "I thought I'd lost you, Stevie," the lady says to the dog. "We're going to get you a new leash."

Ayla has seen the lady too, and runs over to talk to her. You don't hear what they say to each other, but Ayla pats the dog again before waving goodbye to both of them.

.
.
.

That night, after all your friends have gone home, you and Harriet are allowed to stay up past your bedtime to eat some more birthday cake.

"I don't think you'll ever get to sleep tonight after all this," says mum.

"Nobody can stop me getting to sleep," you say, waving her off. Harriet giggles as mum leaves the room.

"This was the best birthday ever," says Harriet, munching on her slice of cake. You definitely agree. You're about to tell her so when you notice that she's concentrating hard on her cake, and whenever she concentrates hard on food like that, she makes a little happy sound. You find it funny, but Harriet doesn't like it when you say she's making sounds, so you decide not to mention it.

"I agree," you say, and you feel very happy.

A message from the author:

"Congratulations! You have completed the game with both sisters. You truly are a master of hide and seek tip. Thanks for playing."
YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE CHASE SUITE FOR SIX

You've now unlocked all of Six's extras.
Six

Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved

"The enemy of pirates is ninjas. Arrr!" - Marion

What do you wanna do? Please choose one of the following options:

1 Start a new game as Harriet (Fairy)
2 Start a new game as Demi (Witch)
3 Restore a saved game
4 Read the credits
5 Run the configuration tests again
6 Quit
action: 6
response: Okay. Bye bye! (You can quit your interpreter program now.)